Lauren Jackson Hankins Sr., 92, of Bristow, passed from this life Thursday, June 11, 2020 at Inola, Oklahoma.

He was born August 28, 1927 to Richard Jackson 'Jack' Hankins and Pansy Louise Hankins at Joplin, Missouri. Lauren served in the United States Army from 1945 to 1948. In 1954 Lauren met Norma Witmer, after her Mother, Helen, married his Uncle, Henry. They were married June 5, 1954 and enjoyed 66 years of beautiful love together. After living in Joplin, California and Tulsa, Lauren and Norma eventually settled in Sapulpa, Oklahoma where they raised their children, Lauren Jr., Yvonne, Helen, Dennis and Richard.

Lauren worked as a chemical warehouse manager for the W.R. Grace Company in Tulsa before becoming a successful self-employed businessman in Sapulpa. Lauren and Norma first business to own was the Apco gas station at the Main Street Y. They then opened the Lazy H Laundromat and proceeded to own every laundromat in Sapulpa at one time or another. During this time, they also purchased the convenience store at Dewey and Poplar, then called Plaza One Stop. Lauren managed several convenience stores in the area before retiring.

For Lauren, his family was the most important thing in his life. He so enjoyed spending time with all of them from sightseeing and amusement parks across the U.S. to spending time at home just visiting or chatting on the phone.

Lauren was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother Opel, step-brother Rocky Morgan, sister Virginia Wilson and Husband Bob, sister Dorothy Grotjohn, daughters Kathie Sue Hankins and Helen Lovell, and grandson Allan Desjarlais.

Lauren is survived by his much-loved wife of 66 years, Norma of the home, his children Lauren, Jr., Yvonne Casteel and Dennis of Bristow, OK and Richard and wife Vivian of Sapulpa, OK. 21 Grandchildren, 19 Great-grandchildren, 4 Great-Great-grandchildren, brother-in-law Virgil Grotjohn and a whole lot of nieces, nephews, and even more greats.

There will be a visitation from 6:00-8:00pm, Monday, June 15, 2020 at Traditions Funeral Chapel in Kellyville. Services will be held at 10:00am, Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at Westside Freewill Baptist Church, 1403 S. Cheyenne Rd., Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Arrangements are under the direction of Traditions Funeral and Cremation Services, 35 S. Main, Kellyville, Oklahoma, 918-247-7373.

Pallbearers will be Jason Desjarlais, Christopher Casteel, Beth Hankins, Skye Slaton, Dickey Lovell and Will Thompson.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Lauren's surviving children Lauren, Jr., Yvonne, Dennis and Richard, Great-grandson Gage Slaton, James Gilmer and Ederth Castrejon.