Hanging up his coat

By Julie Henley

For nearly 60 years, UT Southwestern Class of 1947 alumnus Dr. J.T. Lawrence selflessly served the people of Breckenridge, Texas. At 98, he chose to retire from his lifelong passion of family medicine. Up until his recent passing, Dr. Lawrence happily continued to take calls from community members who sought his health expertise.

“My father was fully dedicated to his patients. He believed it was his duty to always be present in order to serve them at a moment’s notice,” noted Linda Cappel, one of Dr. Lawrence’s daughters. “Because of his attentiveness, the community loved and respected him. They have even asked our family to donate his office equipment to the local museum for an exhibition in his honor.”

Dr. Lawrence’s road to becoming a physician was paved with detours. As a young man in the midst of World War II, he deferred the draft by pursuing a medical degree and serving in the U.S. Army Reserves. During his first year at Southwestern Medical College, Dr. Lawrence’s education was interrupted when he was mistakenly sent to Chemical Warfare School, an error most likely attributed to his undergraduate majors of biology and chemistry.

While there, Dr. Lawrence’s mother made numerous trips to bring light to the misstep and lobby for her son’s return to medical school. Eventually her determination paid off. She succeeded in obtaining an honorable discharge for her son shortly before his unit was sent to the frontlines. Dr. Lawrence was then able to return to medical school, and he graduated a year later than his colleagues because of the debacle.

“It was a scary time, but I was so happy to be in medical school. I was so ecstatic that I was at Southwestern Medical College. I loved it,” said Dr. Lawrence, “I didn’t mind the heat, or the fact that there was no air conditioning in the summer and that the barracks were terrible, because I treasured being there.”

Post-graduation, Dr. Lawrence returned to military service. In 1948 he was drafted in the Korean War and stationed in France for two years. After returning from service abroad, he was finally able to establish his family medicine practice in Breckenridge. In addition to building a practice, he constructed a home for his wife Betty and their three daughters, each of whom studied medicine or science in college due to their father’s positive influence.

“I am so proud to be Dr. Lawrence’s daughter. He was intelligent, attentive, humble, and kind. I once found a stash of gratitude notes former patients and their families had written to him,” said Mary Lynn Guerin, Dr. Lawrence’s daughter. “Although he was a quiet man, people listened when he spoke.”

Around town, Dr. Lawrence is a household name. Every time his daughters visit, someone stops to tell them a story about their father. Dr. Lawrence exemplified all that it is to be a UT Southwestern alumnus. His legacy will forever be fostered in Breckenridge and beyond by those he aided and encouraged over his lengthy career.

 

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