Paul Thomas Lawlis

Born on August 5th, 1938 to Paul Franklin Lawlis and Audrey Thomas Lawlis in Brownfield, Texas, Tom died on January 29th, 2012 at the age of 73, in San Antonio, Texas after a lengthy illness. As a child his family moved from Brownfield to Lubbock, Texas and eventually settled in Abilene, Texas. In 1956, he graduated from Abilene High School, where he met the love of his life and wife of 51 years, Betsy Jane Fulwiler Lawlis. Tom attended Southern Methodist University and Texas Tech University. He was a lifelong Red Raider fan and a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. His interests were many and he was involved in many different business ventures including real estate, owning Bexar Properties in San Antonio, Texas and developing Shangri-La in Cuchara, Colorado. He was named Broker of the Year in Bexar County in 1972. He also had a love of horse racing and raced Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds in New Mexico, California and Louisiana. He was actively involved in oil and gas exploration and investments until his death. He retired with his wife, Jane, in the Texas Hill Country where he spent his last years. He is survived by his loving wife; daughter Tandy Brooke Lawlis Bowers and son-in-law Gary Bowers; daughter Talley Jean Lawlis Scott and son-in-law John Scott; his grandchildren, John Andrew Scott, Audrey Brooke Boston, Thomas Alexander Scott, Luke Elliott Boston and Jane Morgan Scott; his sister Carrie Frances Lawlis Lovejoy; and his aunt Frances Lawlis Gordon, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. Tom led a very interesting life, pursuing many things and living it to the fullest. He dearly loved his wife, daughters and grandchildren and will be greatly missed by all his family. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 3, in Elmwood Memorial Park in Abilene, Texas with The Rev. N. Luke Back, Rector of Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal, officiating, directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. The procession will depart the funeral home at 1:30 p.m. for Elmwood Memorial Park. Gary Bowers, John Scott, John Andrew Scott, Thomas Alexander Scott and Luke Elliott Boston will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Helena's Episcopal Church in Boerne, Texas, or First United Methodist Church in Fort Worth, Texas.