James E. Lauw

James Edgar Lauw, 82, passed away on September 8, 2010 in Abilene, Texas. The family will receive friends at a visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, September 9, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, September 10, at Grace Lutheran Church, 1202 South Pioneer Drive, Abilene with Pastor Douglas Dirks officiating. Burial will follow at 11 a.m. in the Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene. James was born in Veribest Texas on November 4, 1927 to Wilhelm and Erna Gerhardt Lauw. He graduated from Pyron High School and later Texas Tech University with a Bachelor's degree in Agronomy, Animal husbandry and Farm equipment. He married Dorothy Hortness Tyner on February 7, 1974 in Donna Texas. His entire career was with John Deere & Co. with whom he proudly served 32 years. He managed the Deere company store in Harlingen, Texas for 20 years after which he managed district sales in West Texas until he retired in 1982. He leaves behind a long green line of satisfied customers and friends. James was a veteran of WWII and served in the Army. He was involved in The Bird Dog Club, active with Disabilities Resources Incorporated and Grace Lutheran Church. He was preceded in death by his first wife Alma Lorena Kuykendall Lauw and their daughter Carol Ann and grandson Nathan Cole Roberts. James is survived by his wife Dorothy Lauw of Abilene, his son James David Lauw of Houston, his daughter Judy Lauw Roberts of Wimberley, stepdaughter Teresa Tyner Walker of Dallas, and sisters Patsy Ruth Channell of Odessa and Erma Nell Deavers of Snyder. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Daniel Jay Lauw; Beau James Bouldin; Caitlyn, Abigail, Sarah and Dylan Roberts; Tory, Layden and Corbin Walker; and one great grandson, Seth Asher Woods. James deeply impacted the lives of many who had the good fortune to cross his path during his full and well-lived life. He was vividly enthusiastic about all his endeavors, of which his favorites were farming, gardening, hunting, fishing and sharing his abundant knowledge. Those of us who knew and loved him fully expect he will be there to meet us at heaven's gate. After hugs and laughter, we'll be given the grand tour his own personal acre of pasture, which will doubtless have been converted to a lush garden. He will proudly and with great flourish treat us to the choicest of produce as we gaze with delight upon the vibrance of fragile and well-tended flowers growing here and there. We also know full well that we'd best have a bag in hand, because we WILL be picking some beans... If desired, memorials may be given to Grace Lutheran Church, 1202 South Pioneer Drive, Abilene, TX 79605; Disabilities Resource Incorporated, PO Box 1880, Abilene, TX 79604; or other favorite charities in lieu of flowers. The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Longley, and the loving staff of Mesa Springs, Windcrest Alzheimer's Care, and Sears Methodist Hospice.