Dr. Raymond Wayne Laycock

Dr. Raymond Wayne Laycock died peacefully at his home on Dec. 6, 2013, 8 days after celebrating his 95th birthday. At his request, Dr. Laycock donated his body to the Willed-Body Program at Texas A&M Health Science Center in College Station. Memorial services will be at 2:00 PM Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013, at the First Baptist Church with Rev. Doug DuBose, Baptist minister, and Rev. Byron Williamson, pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Dr. Laycock was born in the Abra community, Collingsworth County, Texas on November 28, 1918 to Wayne and Lillie Laycock. He graduated from Shamrock High School in 1934 and from the Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets Infantry Regiment in 1940. He then entered the regular army as a Second Lieutenant. Dr. Laycock commanded a company of the 23rd Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division at Normandy Beach on June 6, 1944, and throughout five European campaigns. He received five battle stars, the Silver Star, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, the French and Belgian Croix de Guerre, the Distinguished Unit Citation and other decorations. Dr. Laycock left active duty as a Major shortly after V-J Day in 1945 and entered the University of Tennessee College of Medicine at Memphis. After graduation, he did postgraduate work at Hotel Dieu and Charity Hospital in New Orleans. In 1952, he retired from the U. S. Army Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel. Dr. Laycock practiced family medicine in Pampa from 1950 until his retirement in 1995. He served as Chief of Staff at Highland General Hospital in 1952 and 1962, and Coronado Hospital in 1982. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Coronado Hospital from 1978 until shortly before his retirement in April 1995. He was a member of the American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, and Top O’ Texas Medical Society. Dr. Laycock was a member of the First Baptist Church, Everyman’s Bible Class and Downtown Kiwanis Club. He was one of the “ol’ Aggies” who saluted when appropriate and played the ball as he found it. He is survived by his daughter, Chris Laycock Lemons and husband Don of New Braunfels; a granddaughter, Erin Rae Osenbaugh of Philadelphia, PA; a grandson, Jeff Lemons of New Braunfels; brothers Dr. Kenneth Laycock and Dr. Royce Laycock, both of Dallas; stepson, Charles P. Butler, Jr. of Greenville, S.C.; and stepdaughters, Betty Butler Heath of Hickory, N.C. and Julia Butler Eakes of Washington, D.C. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Huelyn, Guyron and Robert; sister Mary; wife Mildred Butler Laycock and former wife Roby Kraus Laycock. The family wishes to thank Maria Vasquez for her loving, compassionate care of Dr. Laycock the past four years, especially during his final days. Appreciation is owed to her family, who supported her work, as well as her niece, Cecilia Kennedy, who also cared for him in his home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Don & Sybil Harrington Cancer Foundation to assist patients at BSA Hospice, 1600 Wallace Blvd., Amarillo, Texas 79106, scholarship programs at Texas A&M University, First Baptist Church, P. O. Box 621, Pampa, TX 79066-0621 or a favorite charity.