Lawrence Julius Vann, age 98, a longtime resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
Born September 21, 1927, in Harding, Kansas, Lawrence was the youngest son of Johnson Vann and Agnes Willard Vann and one of thirteen children.
Lawrence married Eunice Sullivan on October 11, 1976, in LaCygne, Kansas. Together, they built a life grounded in faith, family, and service.
Lawrence held various jobs throughout his life but spent most of his career as an X-ray technician at Mercy Hospital. A longtime member of Mount Olive Church of God in Christ, he faithfully served as a Deacon. His devotion to God was evident in the way he lived, treated others, and encouraged his family.
Lawrence enjoyed football, especially his Kansas City Chiefs, attending games as far back as the team’s years at Municipal Stadium and even preseason games with family at age 94. He also enjoyed WWE wrestling, sitting on his front porch, reading his Bible, and spending time with family.
That familiar front porch is captured in a timeless black-and-white portrait featured in Fort Scott Stories: A Two-Volume Tribute to Gordon Parks’ 1950—Fort Scott Revisited & Paris Bureau Assignments for LIFE Magazine, where Lawrence was recognized at 97 as Fort Scott’s oldest African American resident.
Known for his kind, agreeable, and godly demeanor, Lawrence’s quiet strength, faith, and wisdom touched family, friends, and members of the local and surrounding communities.
He leaves to cherish his memory his children, Pam Johnson (James), Cheryl Tucker (Michael), and Gary Floyd (Norma); several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, church family, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Johnson and Agnes Vann; his twelve siblings; his son, Terrance Floyd (Donna); and his grandson, Quindale Floyd.
Lawrence’s homegoing marks the end of an era for his family, but his words of wisdom and faith live on. Among his familiar reminders were: “Don’t hang on; you may let go. Hold on!” And simply: “Look up!”
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Wednesday, September 2nd, at Mt. Olive Church of God in Christ, 424 S. Ransom St., Fort Scott, KS. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 12:00 noon until service time at the Church. Memorials are suggested to Mt. Olive Church of God in Christ and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.