After volunteering for duty in the US Army in Vietnam during 1968–1969, where he was awarded the Bronze Star for his service, Lawrence returned to the University of Missouri-Columbia, earning graduate degrees in English literature and education.
After teaching school in Lincoln, Nebraska, he came to work for the United States Chess Federation in 1981.
Lawrence was especially effective in increasing sales of books and equipment, which he helped grow to over $3.5 million annually.
Excalibur also maintained the World Chess Hall of Fame, for which Lawrence served as volunteer executive director.
In December 2015, Texas Tech University won the Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championships for the first time in its history.