Merlin “Beanie” Lawrence
Oct 29, 1940 – Feb 14, 2017
Preceded in death by wife, Charnell. Survived by daughter, Kristine Lawrence; son, Kerry Lawrence (Laurie); grandchildren: Gregory Kitt (significant other, Jo Lee Myers), Kera Lawrence, and Kailee Lawrence; great-grandson, Chance Kitt; brother, Archie Lawrence (Janice); significant other, Lynn McDonald; additional brother and sister; a multitude of nieces and nephews, students and athletes, and cherished friends.
SERVICES Friday, Feb. 17th at 10am, West Hills Church, 3015 So. 82nd Ave. Private Interment, Evergreen Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Coach Beanie Lawrence Scholarship c/o US Bank or American Cancer Society.
7 Comments
Beanie lived near me in Alliance and we were friends all our young lives. He was a good guy and I will always remember him. I’m so sorry that your family has lost him.
Patty and I send Beanies family and friends our prayers and thoughts. I first met Beanie at the state
track meet in Omaha. He was always very friendly and had a hand shake each time we met. We visited about what was happening in Alliance now compared to when he was in school. He was ‘
always ready to talk track. We also visited several times when he made the journey back to his home
town. We know he will be missed.
Kerry and family, I am so sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Beanie and I were close friends in college. I would like to say
I enjoyed competing with him in the pole vault, yes, we both pole vaulted. The competition didn’t exist
because Beanie normally didn’t start jumping until I had already been eliminated. I don’t think I have seen
Beanie since college but every time his name was mentioned among mutual friends the comments were very positive. I’ve never forgotten Beanie, and never will.
My acquaintance with Beanie was through South High School. He was a great person, teacher, and coach. Beanie was always consistent and fair, along with being a solid friend. Condolences to the entire Lawrence family.
Coach Lawrence was one of the best High School cross country and track coaches a young student could have hoped for. He coached some of the best runners in the nation and always pushed for the best out of each athlete. Coach Lawrence was not only a coach but he was also a mentor with exceptional values he taught us as young athletes. Coach loved to win and he made sure each runner had their road work and miles in on off seasons. He was a good guy who cared about kids! God Bless the family and all the lives Merlin aka Beanie helped mold! If you ever looked up the word coach in the dictionary .. Coach Lawrence picture would fit well next to the definition. I’ll never forget his enthusiastic yelling as we would crest a hill in a meet and how coach would yell to make your move.. or pace yourself better.. always coaching .. I still reflect on those days… ??
1979 to 1982 Burke High School. Cross Country / Track
Coach Beanie made us reach out potential not only as young athletes, but as young men, teammates, and the ability to press forward beyond the physical and mental limits one thought he had. Beanie and his nature never left me after graduating form Burke in 1983. Our 1982 Metro Championship team at Burke High School was built on and around his drive and vision of success that summer and fall, with embers that still propels me to this day over 40 years later. “Blum, your sucking gas from last night, 10 more hills and four laps… NOo more beer on Fridays” Hehe
Once a Bulldog always a Bulldog. From Burke to Yale, and everything in between and after, Beanie Lives and instills the timeless “Integrity, Loyalty and Honor” to this day and into the eternal ether of the runner air. Godspeed Beanie and see you on the other side one day.
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