Obituaries : David L. Lawrence; Pastor in Thousand Oaks

Services are scheduled today for Pastor David L. Lawrence, a longtime minister of the First Baptist Church of Thousand Oaks who died Saturday. He was 59.

Lawrence, who worked as an administrator of the church’s school for six years, died of a heart attack outside the church, according to Evelyn Gillespie, a church secretary who worked for him.

“He had the ability to instill in children a desire to be their best, and to get them to do better,” Gillespie said. “Even if they were in trouble, he challenged them to be their best.

“He practiced the old-fashioned values--respect for our elders, respect for our country and respect for our authorities,” she added.

Lawrence was born in Arkansas but grew up primarily in Texas, Gillespie said. He worked as a janitor to make ends meet while studying at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Northern California.

“When he would lead the congregation in prayer, he had the ability to make you feel like you were in the presence of God,” Gillespie said. “I’m going to miss that.”

Lawrence is survived by his wife, Patricia, and children Karen Zehner of Georgia and Kathie Curtis of Florida, and Todd Lawrence, Stephen Lawrence, Timothy Lawrence and Heather Lawrence, all of Thousand Oaks.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. at the church, 1250 Erbes Road.

Arrangements are under the direction of Pierce Brothers Griffin Mortuary, Thousand Oaks.