Jess Lawrence,, Sr.

Jess Willard Lawrence, Sr., went to be with the Lord and his loving wife early afternoon on Thursday, August 22, 2013. He was ninety seven years and two months old and was born on June 11, 1916 in Stephens County, Texas. Jess was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Frances Lawrence. He is survived by one sister, Lorraine Barrett of San Angelo, Texas; one daughter, Joan Coombes (Charles Coombes) of Corpus Christi, Texas; two sons, Jess Willard Lawrence, Jr. (Charlotte Lawrence) of Ingleside on the Bay, Texas and Keith Lawrence of Corpus Christi, Texas; eight grandchildren, Troy Lawrence of Houston, Texas, Melissa Taylor of Corpus Christi, Texas, Jolynn Coombes of College Station, Texas, Bryan Coombes of Medina, Texas, Carol McFall of Port Lavaca, Texas, Kate Howard of Austin, Texas, Colby Lawrence of Corpus Christi, Texas and Kenda Newberry of Killeen, Texas; eleven great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; several nieces and nephews and innumerable friends. Jess retired after working for Sun Oil Company at the Suntide Refinery for twenty-seven years. He was an avid fisherman and family man that was known by many and loved by all that knew him. A man of few words, he let his character and life style speak for him. He was a cowboy on the Green Ranch in Albany, Texas, rough neck in South Texas and worked for the state until they found out he was just sixteen years old. Daddy will be missed by all and admired for the man he is. We love you Daddy, enjoy your new home. Visitation with the family present will be from 5 P.M. until 7 P.M. Saturday, August 24, 2013 at Sawyer-George Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:30 P.M. Sunday, August 25, 2013 at Sawyer-George Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Mark Miller officiating. Graveside services with Masonic Rites will be conducted at 1:00 P.M. Monday, August 26, 2013 at Memory Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Coastal Bend Grace House or Linda Lawrence Helping Hands Fund. Donations may be made in care of Oak Ridge Baptist Church, P. O. Box 567, Portland, Texas 78374.