Jeffrey Lloyd Lawson was born at Baptist Hospital in Oklahoma City September 24, 1964. His parents, Bobby and Pat Lawson, raised Jeff and his little brother, Lloyd, who was born in 1967, in the Putnam City area. Jeff was baptized at Trinity Baptist church by Dr. Scales. He had a fun childhood, including having Ho-Ho the clown for one of his birthday parties. This was a very big deal at the time. In later years, he would often tell the story of this particular birthday party being so special to him. As a kid, Jeff participated in many activities including Cub Scouts, swimming lessons at the YMCA, Putt Putt, sports, choir, and riding his bike around with his friends. He graduated from Putnam City West High School in 1982.
Jeff was a big personality with a great talent for speaking and singing.He sang in the choir, played many parts in musicals and plays in and out of church and helped build sets for the shows. Pat was also very active at Trinity and has wonderful memories of playing piano and participating with him when he had these roles. One of Jeff’s favorite roles was as “Puck” in Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Jeff said that he had so much fun going out into the audience and causing mischief, which is exactly what Puck does. As an adult, he attended Central State University and then his talent led him to take a course in radio. For a time, he was a radio host for a christian rock music station. He also used his love of music and his speaking voice as a DJ in some OKC “dance” clubs. Let’s just say that the “dancers” made sure to share their tips or they would be “dancing” to Disco Duck!
Jeff’s mom owned Flowers by Pat in Warr Acres for over 50 years so he was raised as a flower shop kid, starting all the way back to being two years old in a play pen in one of the first flower shops that his mother worked at before starting her own business. He started working at his mom’s shop in high school and worked there often off and on through the years. He delivered flower arrangements, help set up parties and events, and eventually became the delivery manager. When not working at the shop, he was very successful working for AOL in their call center. Jeff inherited his mom’s ability to sell anything to anyone and neither have ever met a stranger. Due to growing up in the flower shop, when he was asked what his favorite color was, he would answer “all of them” because he had seen beauty in all colors of flowers in every circumstance of life.
Jeff had a great love for sports throughout his life. Pat was even told by the instructor at the Y, that Jeff was an excellent swimmer and that he could possibly make the Olympics if he pursued it. He loved and preferred playing baseball, which included playing for his favorite coach, Leo Holt. Jeff and Leo’s son, John Holt, told many great stories about times that Leo would have Jeff’’s back when he would disagree with a call. Jeff never had a problem speaking up if he saw anything that was wrong or unfair. He followed and attended games for OU football (BOOMER!), Blazers ice hockey, Thunder basketball, and because of his Atlanta relatives, rooted for Georgia Tech. Jeff even co-wrote a regular newsletter for the Blazers. He enjoyed bowling for many years. He also never missed watching the Masters golf tournament every April. This love for sports also led him to call games for several high school football and basketball games. For the last 11 years, he called the annual Central Oklahoma kids football championships with his stepson Nick Rodr acting as spotter and other stepson Zach Rodr running the scoreboard. This was an all day event that he enjoyed every year. He wanted to make sure that those kids, aged kindergarten through 5th grade, had the best experience hearing their names professionally called over the loud speakers. He was so committed to this, he called his last one just over a month ago in November even though he was very weak. He was also a regular caller on sports radio for many years and used the name “Driver”. Not everyone knew that he was Driver. Before he and Jennifer were married, she spoke to her minister and in conversation told him about Jeff being “Driver”. He instantly knew who she was talking about as he listened to the Sports Animal all the time. He developed friendships with several of the guys at the station and they honored him throughout the day when they heard he had passed. This meant so much to his family.
Friends and family have commented that he “would show up for you at the drop of a dime” and had a “servant’s heart” because he cared so much for people. He always thought about how he could help someone, give comfort, brighten their day or contribute more than anyone knew. He wouldn’t often announce these quiet ways that he helped others and some people didn’t even know that it was him that helped. He enjoyed his part in planning some of the ’82 class reunions. Jeff could also spread so much joy with his humor and smile.
Jeff and his wife Jennifer, were set up by their friend, Cara, and quickly fell in love. December 7 was the anniversary of that first date. They were married July 11, 2015 with a flamingo and tropical wedding in their back yard surrounded by friends and family in flamingo and Hawaiian shirts. He built a beach for the ceremony so they could have their toes in the sand. Yes, they celebrated their anniversaries with a free slushy every year from 7-11. Jeff and Jennifer shared a love for each other that was true, bright, joyful and full of color and “why not” moments. He was her pirate, protector, best friend and soul mate. Jeff was an amazing stepdad to Jennifer’s sons and quickly became more. They loved him as a dad just as he loved them as sons.
Jeff passed away on Friday, December 6, 2024. Jennifer spent the night with him in the hospital the majority of the three weeks he was there. Jeff had many health battles but was a fighter and never gave up. His heart was so big that his body just couldn’t support it. He is survived by his mother, Patricia Lawson; nephew, Robert Lawson; niece, Denisa Lawson; stepsons Nicholas Rodr and Zachary Rodr; and wife, Jennifer Lawson.
Visitation for Jeff will be held from 1 – 8 PM on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at Buchanan Funeral Service, 8712 N Council Rd. Oklahoma City, OK 73132. His Funeral Service will be held at 10 AM on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at Buchanan Funeral Service.
