Charles Lawley, Sr.

Charles Neal Lawley, Sr. went to be with his Lord, Tuesday, January 19, 2010 in Bluntzer, Texas. He was born in Texarkana, Texas on March 14, 1934 to A.E. and Lola Lawley. He moved to Robstown, Texas in his early youth, graduated Robstown High School in 1953, served in the Texas National Guard, owned and operated different businesses in Nueces County until he opened Lawley’s Garden Center Feeds where he had been serving his valued customers for the last 30 years. He was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Calallen, worked to raise funds to build the new Church, lifetime and charter member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 9318 where he enjoyed the fellowship of his brother Knights, past Deputy District Governor of the Lions Club, recipient of the 4-H Silver Spur Award, served over ten years as a volunteer firefighter and fire commissioner for Nueces County Emergency Services District # 4, working to establish a 24 hour ambulance service for the community. He was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife of 44 years, Esilla Wright Lawley of Bluntzer, Texas; daughter, Mary Lawley of Bluntzer, Texas; son, Neal Lawley of Corpus Christi, Texas; godson, Justin Nauer of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; uncle, Carl Holmes of Weatherford, Texas; sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Visitation with the family present will be on Thursday, January 21, 2010 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. and on Friday, January 22, 2010 from 1:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Sawyer-George Funeral Home. A Rosary will be recited on Friday, January 22, 2010 at 7:00 P.M. at Sawyer-George Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church with Rev. Msgr. Michael Howell as Celebrant. Burial will be in the San Patricio Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church Building Fund for the construction of the bell tower. Knights of Columbus Council 9318 will serve as pallbearers.