Marion Douglas Lawyer
1927-1998
Biographical Sketch On The Life Of Doug Lawyer
Marion Douglas Lawyer was born in Blackwater, Missouri, October 2, 1927 and went home to be
with the Lord on December 29, 1998 at age 71. He was from a family of three
girls and nine boys. Of the nine, seven were preachers of the gospel. His father
was a gospel preacher for forty-three years. At the age of twelve, Douglas was
baptized by Carroll Cannon. He graduated from Harding
University in 1949 and continued his education by receiving a Master's Degree in
History from Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, in 1960. Doug began his service to God at age
15 when he preached his first sermon in Arkansas. At the age of 16 he was
preaching for the church in Santa Rosa, California. His life was dedicated to
preaching the gospel and caring for those in need. Other places he served
included the Oliphant Church in Newport, Arkansas, from 1945-1947. He served the
Douglass, Kansas church in 1947 and the Berea, Missouri church in 1948.
He served the Rose Hill, Kansas church in 1949; the Waldo, Arkansas
church from 1950-1952; the Sanger, Texas church 1953-1954; the Emporia Ave.
church
in Wichita, Kansas from 1954 to 1957; and the Lorenzo, Texas church from 1957 to 1959.
He married Charla Rebecca Cranford, the daughter of Charles K. Cranford, a faithful gospel preacher in Arkansas. July 29, 1952. His first work after college was at Waldo, Arkansas.
In December of 1960, together with Charla, they and their two small daughters, Shauna and Tami, went to serve on the mission field in Nigeria, West Africa from 1961 to 1965. Cindi, their third daughter was born at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Umuahia, Nigeria, six weeks after their arrival in Nigeria.
>While in Nigeria, Doug taught in the Bible Training College at Onicha Ngwa as well as serving as its head during a portion of their tour of duty. On weekends and during school breaks, he and fellow missionaries traveled to many villages and remote locations preaching, establishing churches and leading a large number of the native Nigerians to Christ. He also worked diligently with Dr. Henry Farrar and others in negotiations with native chiefs and government officials which led to the subsequent establishment of the Nigerian Christian Hospital.
During their stay in Nigeria, Charla, taught ladies Bible classes and started a Sunday afternoon Bible class for nearby village children on the school compound.
Upon their return from Nigeria in 1965, Doug continued his service to churches of Christ. At the time of his death, he was one of the ministers at the Edmond church of Christ in Edmond, Oklahoma.
Doug's capacity for compassion was limitless. He served those in need at all hours, touching many lives and sharing the burdens of those in pain, sorrow or weathering difficult times. He was untiring in his dedication to the Lord, a loving husband and father, a man who met no strangers and loved everyone. He is sorely missed by his family and his myriad of friends.
-Scott Harp, Sources: Gleanings From Minister's Monthly, Vol. IX, No. 4, December, 1963; Preachers of Today, Vol 2, c.1959; & website: http://www.ihcf.net/subpages/doug_lawyer.htm
Location Of The Grave Of Doug Lawyer
Doug Lawyer is buried in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The cemetery is located at 13400 N. Kelly, Oklahoma City, OK 73131-1295. Contact the office at 405-478-0556. Take I-235 through the center of the city heading north. After crossing I-44 the road becomes Hwy 77. It is best to get off Hwy. 77 at the E. Hefner Exit and head east. Turn left on N. Kelly Avenue. Just after you pass under the John Kilpatrick Turnpike you will see the cemetery on the right. Enter the cemetery from North Kelly Avenue in front of the offices. Go around to the back of the offices and take the center road (Memorial Way) behind the offices straight to the back toward the rear of the cemetery. When you pass the flag turn right on Arlington Way. Go to the first turn to just past the large monument dedicated to Wiley Post, stop your car and enter the section to your left. Lawyer's grave is very close to the Southwest edge of the section. While in the cemetery be sure to visit the graves of other preachers of the past: J.H. Lawson and James O. Baird, and William D. Bills.
GPS Coordinates
35°36'17.3"N 97°29'25.1"W
or D.d. 35.604817, -97.490300
Accuracy To Within 14'
Facing West
Section 48 Lot 136 Space 3
Very Near The Grave Of Doug Lawyer
Is The Wiley Post Memorial
Doug Lawyer
Oct. 2, 1927 - Dec. 29, 1998
"A Friend to All"