Sergeant Lawrence Lowell Keys' Obituary
Seargent Lawrence Lowell Keys was born in San Antonio, Texas on November 13, 1949 to Mr. and Mrs. Raymond and Bertha Keys. He was the fourth child born to their union. Along with him there were also seven other siblings.
Lawrence grew up in the Denver Heights neighborhood of San Antonio and attended local public schools within the San Antonio Independent School District. He was a proud graduate of the Highlands High School Class of 1968. Upon graduation he continued his educational pursuits at San Antonio College where he decided to pivot into a career in law enforcement.
He joined the San Antonio Police Department in 1969-1970 as a young patrolman. He would quickly ascend through the ranks becoming a robbery detective as well as an integral member of the Internal Affairs and Vice departments. Ultimately, he would achieve the rank of Seargent. Some of his most notable work within the department included spearheading the formation of the SAPD downtown foot patrol unit in 1986. From there, he would go on to serve as the first African American director of the SAPD Police Academy from 1989-1992. While at the academy he was influential in the transition to the use of the semi-automatic Glock handgun carried by officers at that time. Eventually, he would round out his career serving as a command officer with the traffic and DWI division.
In his spare time, Lawrence was an avid snow skier, domino player, and forlorn Dallas Cowboys football fan. He was a founding member and officer of the Alamo Skiers Club. He devoted his life to Jesus Christ at St. Paul United Methodist Church. At St. Paul, he was a member of the Usher board, finance committee, and volunteered with the food pantry. He was also an active member of Blazing Star Masonic Lodge #26.
Seargent Keys is survived by his ex -wife and caregiver Pamela L. Keys ; two daughters, Paula (Charles) Keys of Chandler, Arizona and Lindsey (Tominique) Keys White of Dallas, Texas. He will be missed as a loving Paw Paw to his two grandchildren Tatum and Taj White. He is preceded in death by his sisters Rose and Dorothy and his brother Charles Clifton. He is survived by his siblings Raymond (Josephine) Keys III, Jerrilene Keys, June (Alec) Enoch, and Kenneth Keys. His official unofficial “kid brother” Larry Duke Thompson will also mourn his passing.
All in all, a life well – lived to serve and protect others was achieved by Seargent Lawrence Lowell Keys. He was a steadfast family man, father, brother, and friend to those he knew and loved. His impact on the world will remain well beyond his life lived in the dash.
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