LAWRENCE, “Hec” Raymond Ramsay

October 29, 1945 — July 27, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dad, Raymond “Hec” Lawrence, who passed away peacefully at Kelowna General Hospital on July 27, 2025, at the age of 79.

Hec was predeceased by his beloved wife, Charlotte (“Charlie”); his father, Herschel Lawrence;  his mother, Gertrude (“Trudy”) Wilkins, and step-father Roy Wilkins.

He is lovingly remembered by his daughters, Tracey and Andrea (Mario); stepchildren, Darla (Ward) and Brett (Kim); his adored grandchildren, Kassandra, Kyla, Christian (Heather), Avery, Brandon, Will, and Nicolas; along with great-grandchildren, Elianna and Lily — all of whom brought him joy and many fond memories through the years. He also leaves behind his cherished sisters, Beverley (John) and Margaret (Dave), as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends, golf and hockey buddies who were like family.

Hec was born at the hospital in the small town of Wayne, Alberta. He spent the first two years of his life in the even smaller town of East Coulee with his parents and older sister, Bev. Life there consisted of the Lawrence (Herschel) and Ramsay (Trudy) families creating memories together, now immortalized in the museum that exists there today.

When Herschel became the manager of the Gem Hotel in Midlandvale, the family spent the next six years there. They enjoyed a carefree life hiking and exploring the nearby hills, called the Hoodoo, and welcoming Hec’s younger sister, Maggie, to the family. Another move had the family living in Drumheller for a couple of years, and in 1955, they relocated to Calgary. That’s where he attended Glengarry Elementary and Viscount Bennett High School.

A natural athlete and a social magnet, Hec played hockey, baseball, and the saxophone in the school band. He joined a high school fraternity — not for the prestige, but for the parties! It was in high school that he met his first wife, Shannon, with whom he later welcomed two beautiful daughters, Tracey and Andrea. After graduating high school in 1964, Hec got a job with AGT (Alberta Government Telephones) to later support his young family. Camping trips to Kelowna and the Shuswap, with friends and family, helped the easy decision to move to Kelowna in 1973. Baseball, curling, and golf all became his passions in the following years.

With almost a decade of experience with AGT, He was able to find employment with BCTel (Telus) for the next 27 years. It was here in Kelowna that he started another new chapter in his life. He met his wife, Charlie, and embraced her children, Darla and Brett, as his own. The two were wed in 1979 and together for 44 years until Charlie’s passing in 2023.

After earning his pension in 2000 with Telus, Hec worked part-time to help pay for his green fees and yearly golf excursions to the States with his golf buddies.

Hec was a music lover, often displaying his DJ talents when friends and family were gathered together. His radio station was F-A-R-T, and he was the voice of the windy prairies. His life was built on family, friendship, humour, and sportsmanship. He played hockey, baseball, and — most famously — golf, where his bright shirts were almost as legendary as his questionable short game. A fixture at his home course, Shadow Ridge, he was always ready for a round with his golf buddies, knowing the real game was about laughter, camaraderie, and good company. He never took golf too seriously, always happy to follow 18 holes with a round in the clubhouse to settle up with whoever he’d been playing with that day.

There were the occasional Rockets games enjoyed with his family, and many dinners that evolved into playing “Name That Tune.” To no one’s surprise, Hec rarely missed a beat whenever a Classic Rock song was played — especially the Eagles. The best part was the story he sometimes told as he remembered a place where that song was playing.

Known for his big laugh, quick wit, and refusal to take life too seriously, Dad was the life of every gathering. His signature send-off, “Love ya, man!” will be fondly remembered by all who knew him. He will be dearly missed and will remain forever in our hearts.

A celebration of Hec’s life will be held at a later date. In the meantime, we invite friends and family to raise a glass, share a laugh, and remember him in their own way — exactly as he would’ve wanted.

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