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Family pay tribute to Dereham youth worker Dan

The family of Dereham Christian youth worker and film creator Dan Lawrence have paid tribute to the talented, fun-loving, deep thinker with an unshakeable faith.

Dan died on November 21, aged 25, almost two years after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.

His parents Paul and Jacky Lawrence, along with Dan’s twin brother, Ben, said: “Right from the start when the diagnosis was given of an inoperable brain tumour, Daniel never made things difficult for us, his family or anyone else. He didn’t complain or say ‘why me?’. He never blamed anyone, he just got on as best he could.

“Daniel was always a deep thinker and he always had a plan. His faith in the Lord Jesus was unshakeable and he and his wife Kim, have both lived out their faith in the most beautiful of ways.

“Daniel, for us as both son and brother, was always the quieter one. The person who you could always rely on and who made everything seem okay.

“He was deeply talented as a musician and in so many other ways, too many to list. But in all these things, very unassuming and never big headed. We, along with so many, already miss Daniel very deeply, and yet both he and we know that his eternity is secure and his life never ending in the hands of God.

“He has made our lives much richer over these twenty-five years and the last two years in particular. He would not want us to end on a sad note, so to all those people, ourselves included, who gave him many free coffees, lunches, gifts and even mowed his lawn - he might say; “Thanks, I was worth it.”

Dan’s wife, Kim, said: “I will treasure the time we had together, we loved each other so much. He showed me what it really means to be humble, gentle and generous.”

Ang Fox, director of North Breckland YFC, set up with Dan in 2011, said: “For me words are not really adequate to tell of my friend Dan. His actions were the thing that spoke of his love and passion for Christ, and his compassion for others.

“His quirky fun-loving ability to encourage and champion others above himself pointed them to his heavenly father. For Dan it was about elevating Christ, the person who gave him hope and strength. I am very thankful to have journeyed with him and I know we shall meet again.”

Details of a thanksgiving service for Dan have been announced. It will be on December 10, 1pm at Wroxham Road Methodist Church in Norwich. Kim has invited anyone who wants to celebrate Dan's life.

"We ask that you would come in smart clothes but not all black. Knowing Dan he would want us to get dressed up for him but he wouldn't want us to be miserable. We want make a collection of lots of lovely memories of Dan, all the funny and silly and kind things he did. So if you want to you could write some down and bring them in a card or we will have something there on the day for you to write them down on," said Kim.

There will be a collection for the Brain Tumour Charity and NBYFC where Dan worked.

Read our previous story about Dan, his film Looking to Eternity and tributes paid online.

Please add your tributes to and memories of Dan below

Article extracts from Dereham Times