Dylan Lawrence

Dylan James Lawrence, aged 17, filled the world with music, laughter, and joy. His charming personality and huge dimples immediately drew people to him. Every emotion he felt was reflected in his baby blue eyes and the color of his chin-length, boy band hair.

Dylan was a helper – he loved making people laugh, and he was always the first to volunteer if someone needed help. He never even rolled his eyes; parents with teenagers understand how rare and special that is.

Dylan was kind-hearted, selfless, generous, and courteous. People often remarked on his impeccable manners and his bold sense of humor. He lived his life with vigor, and his charisma impacted everyone who met him. Dylan was a gifted musician, a gentle friend, a loving brother, and the best, sweetest, non-eye-rolling son you could ask for. 

Dylan was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) in December 2020 – he courageously fought for six months, and he looked for hope at every opportunity. DIPG has a 0% survival rate at this time; DIPG accounts for 10% - 20% of pediatric brain tumors. Only four percent of cancer research is devoted to pediatric cancer – our children deserve better.

DIPG stripped Dylan of his ability to grow up and have a powerful, positive impact on the world – but his legacy will live on by acts of kindness performed by those who loved him or are touched by his story.

Dylan is survived by his dad, Dylan V. Lawrence; his mom, Heather Fox; his bonus mom, Susan Lawrence; his siblings, Audrey, Jeremy, and Rylee, and his beloved rat boys, Earl and Herb, as well as a host of loving grandparents, uncles, an aunt, and friends.

The Lawrence/Fox family sends a heartfelt thank you to the amazing doctors, nurses, technicians, and staff at the Radiation Oncology Center at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, the Vanderbilt Children’s Hematology-Oncology clinic, and Caris Healthcare. Most especially, we recognize Dr. Tracy Hills, who held us together when we fell apart and advocated tirelessly for Dylan; Dr. Adam Esbenshade; Cathy, Dr. Luo, Allie, Simon, Lexa, Jenna, Karen, and Sherri.

Our everlasting gratitude to everyone who supported Dylan during his fight and everyone who donated to his GoFundMe – without each of you, Dylan wouldn’t have had his amazing adventures and the knowledge that he had such a positive impact on the world.

We send our love to the parents and children fighting pediatric cancer – we see you, and we support you.

In Dylan’s memory, do something kind today – tell a joke to brighten someone’s spirit, help someone to their car with groceries, wave at a neighbor, say please and thank you, volunteer, return an abandoned shopping cart to the store, chew with your mouth closed.

Dylan’s Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, July 10. The procession will begin at 4 pm at Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home in Clarksville, TN. No service will be conducted at the funeral home; please line up cars to proceed to private property in Sango, where the celebration will take place. Feel welcome to decorate your vehicles with drawings of sea turtles, music notes, song lyrics, notes to Dylan, etc. 

After arrival in Sango, Dylan’s Celebration of Life will take place. There will be a brief memorial service, followed by “The Worst Party Ever” in accordance with Dylan’s wishes. Food and drinks will be available, as well as music – there will be plenty of shaded seating for all. Tears must be accompanied by smiles and laughter, per Dylan. Dress code is come-as-you-are: t-shirts, tank tops, shorts, jeans, tux with tails, prom dresses – Dylan wanted people to be comfortable, and so do we. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Dylan’s GoFundMe, so we can continue to help send good into the world in Dylan’s name. https://www.gofundme.com/f/dreams-for-dylan

“I feel like there’s a lot of untapped potential in every single individual. And why not embrace that? Make your life your own!” – Dylan James Lawrence, March 2, 2004 – June 25, 2021

To learn more about Dylan’s fight with DIPG, visit:  https://www.facebook.com/dreamsfordylanlawrence

Arrangements are entrusted to Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, 1510 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040; (931) 645-6488.  Online condolences may be made at www.nealtarpleyparchman.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dylan Lawrence, please visit our floral store.