Russell Elvis Lawrence's Obituary
LAWRENCE, RUSSELL ELVIS born Dec. 23, 1928 in Abilene, TX, passed away Dec. 3, 2011, surrounded by his loved ones. After attending college, he worked for the Texas and Pacific Railroad in various engineering-related positions. He was successful in securing industrial locations for Fortune 500 corporations along the Mississippi River in Texas and Louisiana. Next came a promotion to work for Louisiana’s largest Realtor where he moved his family to Baton Rouge and had great success as a commissioned-based land broker. In 1970, he opened his own brokerage firm in Dallas, Russell Lawrence & Associates where he specialized in selling raw land, scenic farms, and ranches to an established core of investors and clients. He built his successful company based on his reputation as an honest businessman with impeccable integrity. In 1973, he was honored as Chairman of the Dallas Area Industrial Development Assoc., traveling the country with DFW business & political leaders to promote the opening of the new DFW Airport. In 1980, he married Rita Kile Lawrence and together they began a wonderful life together enriched by their mutual love of family and travel. Together they traveled the U.S., Europe, Latin America, and Hawaii. He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters, and his first wife Elizabeth Havens Lawrence. He is survived by his wife Rita, children David Lawrence and wife Barbara (Babs) Lawrence, Sheryl Row, Lisa Teel, Rusty Lawrence, David Kile & wife Anne Kile, Diana Kile Bolin, Doug Kile & wife Jessica, Denise Kile Lyman & husband Pete Lyman. Also surviving are nine grandchildren including David Bryan Lawrence, Russell Blake Lawrence, Elizabeth Leigh Lawrence, Rachel Allison Row, Rebecca Ashley Row, Cameron Scott Davis, Lindsay Anne Matuson, James David Kile, and Danielle Kay Bolin. Also survived by nieces Myrna Clark and husband Jack of Lubbock; Nelda Solsberry and husband Clayton of Houston; nephew Ron Botkin and wife Mary of Conroe, Texas. A memorial service is scheduled for 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 7 in the Memorial Chapel at Restland Funeral Home, the Rev. Katherine Glaze Lyle officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the American Heart Association or the Dallas chapter of the American Alzheimer’s Association. Special thanks to the outstanding, committed and compassionate staff at Arden Court of Richardson. A good man and a life well lived, he will be dearly missed.
What’s your fondest memory of Russell?
What’s a lesson you learned from Russell?
Share a story where Russell's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Russell you’ll never forget.
How did Russell make you smile?