The Snakedoctor’s Story: Late Shawnee resident’s family has Vietnam memoir published

  • Vietnam Veteran, Staff Sgt. Timothy Lawrence, of Shawnee, helps his grandson, Dale graduate Major Jerame Johnson, to prepare for deployment to Qatar from Fort Sill in Lawton in 2016. Both veterans retired from the Army after at least 20 years. Lawrence's family recently found his memoir and had it published, seven years after his passing — "leaving something behind so we could understand where he came from and what shaped him.” Photos provided
    Vietnam Veteran, Staff Sgt. Timothy Lawrence, of Shawnee, helps his grandson, Dale graduate Major Jerame Johnson, to prepare for deployment to Qatar from Fort Sill in Lawton in 2016. Both veterans retired from the Army after at least 20 years. Lawrence's family recently found his memoir and had it published, seven years after his passing — "leaving something behind so we could understand where he came from and what shaped him.” Photos provided
  • Shown in 1968, Timothy J. Lawrence served in the Army for 24 years and in the Vietnam War for 39 months.
    Shown in 1968, Timothy J. Lawrence served in the Army for 24 years and in the Vietnam War for 39 months.
  • Vietnam Veteran Timothy Lawrence eats breakfast with his great-grandson Tyler at the Shawnee Kiwanis Pancake Day in 2012.
    Vietnam Veteran Timothy Lawrence eats breakfast with his great-grandson Tyler at the Shawnee Kiwanis Pancake Day in 2012.
  • Shown around 1975, Timothy Lawrence served in the Army for 24 years and in the Vietnam War for 39 months. He had many medals and commendations, including the Bronze Star Award with Valor. Lawrence's family recently found his memoir and had it published, seven years after his passing.
    Shown around 1975, Timothy Lawrence served in the Army for 24 years and in the Vietnam War for 39 months. He had many medals and commendations, including the Bronze Star Award with Valor. Lawrence's family recently found his memoir and had it published, seven years after his passing.
  • A leather vest belonging to the late Army and Vietnam Veteran Timothy Lawrence is covered with patches.
    A leather vest belonging to the late Army and Vietnam Veteran Timothy Lawrence is covered with patches.
  • Vietnam Veteran Timothy Lawrence, of Shawnee, is shown with his daughter Teresa Wolfe of Dale.
    Vietnam Veteran Timothy Lawrence, of Shawnee, is shown with his daughter Teresa Wolfe of Dale.
  • Vietnam Veteran Timothy Lawrence, of Shawnee, is shown with his wife, Connie.
    Vietnam Veteran Timothy Lawrence, of Shawnee, is shown with his wife, Connie.

    Vietnam Veteran, Staff Sergeant Timothy J. Lawrence, of Shawnee, passed away on Aug. 24, 2019 - one day before his 78th birthday.

    But what he left behind has brought his family together in his memory and given them a deeper insight into his life.

    Lawrence’s family knew he had been writing his memoir from his 39-month tour of duty in Vietnam, but his daughter, Teresa Wolfe, of Dale, did not find the …