Jess Lawrence, Jr.

On Tuesday, July 11, 2017, Jess Willard Lawrence, Jr. passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends at the age of 74. He was born in Breckenridge, Texas to Willard and Francis Lawrence on October 24, 1942. Jess was 1 of 3 children: Joan Coombes [[]Charles (Hoot)] and Keith Lawrence (Linda).

It was love at first sight when he crashed a church party and met the church pianist, Charlotte Ellis in 1957. After a 5-year courtship, he married the love of his life on January 26, 1962. They shared 55 years of faith, love, and devotion. They spent those years creating adventures for their family and friends, traveling, fishing, and hunting the ranches of South Texas. Jess touched everyone he met with his stoic understanding, his calm demeanor, and his ability to encompass everyone with a light and love that only he knew how to give.

He loved and cherished his 3 children, Troy Lawrence (Valerie), Melissa Taylor (Michael), and Kate Howard (Kevin); his 5 grandchildren: Autumn Drozd (Chad), Reilly Lawrence, Sydney Lawrence, Kevin Howard, Jr., and Vivian Howard; as well has his 2 great grandchildren: Oliver Drozd and Dean Drozd.

In 1960, he began his career at Coastal States/Valero in Taft, Texas. He retired in 1997 as Director of Gas Control after 37 years of service.

Services will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, July 15, 2017 at Charlie Marshall Funeral Home in Aransas Pass, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Coastal Bend Grace House at P.O. Box 1456 Portland, Texas 78374 or online at gracehousecc.org. The family will be hosting a celebration following the service.