David Lawrence

David Stuart Lawrence passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 6, 2017 with his family by his side.\r\n \r\nStuart was born in Houston, Texas on August 5, 1932 to Gladys Hurlbut and Clifford M. Lawrence. He married his loving wife, Carol Kay Kohler, in August of 1955. They had three children John, David, and Linda.\r\n \r\nStuart graduated from Lamar High School in Houston where he played football and was a member of the State Championship 440 yd. Relay Team that set the Houston City record of 43.7 seconds in 1950. He attended the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee where he played football and was a member of Alpha Tau Omega. He graduated from the University of Houston and entered the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Cadet in Pensacola, Florida.\r\n \r\nIn February of 1955, Stuart was ranked a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Navy and earned his Navy Wings. He was assigned to Fighter Squadron 154 where he was a fighter pilot flying the North American FJ-3 Fury jet. He served in the Naval Reserve until 1971 and retired as a Lieutenant Commander. During his 18 years of service in the Navy, he flew over sixteen different types of fixed-wing aircraft and was also a helicopter flight instructor.\r\n \r\nIn 1957, Stuart joined Pan American World Airways flying the Boeing 707 in and out of Vietnam and the Far East. Eleven years later, he transferred to New York City and began flying the Boeing 747. He retired from Pan Am in 1989. In 1995, he returned to work for an additional 12 years with Kerrville ISD and retired again in 2007.\r\n \r\nStuart was preceded in death by his mother, father, and brother; In May of 2013, he was also preceded in death by his grandson, Scott Alan Kneese. Stuart is survived by his loving wife, Carol, of 62 years, and sons John Jay and wife Jean, David Stuart Jr. and wife Elisabeth, and his daughter, Linda Kay Hott and husband Russell Hott. He is also survived by his four grandchildren John Jay Jr. and his wife Gianna Lawrence, Katherine Elisabeth, Robert "Bobby" Stuart, and David Stuart III, as well as his great granddaughter Collins K. Lawrence.\r\n \r\nStuart loved the Texas Hill Country and often referred to his family as his greatest treasure. He had many friends in the Kerrville area and was a loyal family man. He will be greatly missed.\r\n \r\nFuneral services will be held on Thursday, August 10, 2017 at 2:00PM at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Kerrville, Texas. \r\n \r\nThe family wishes to express sincere gratitude to Peterson Hospice and Kerrville Veterans Association. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please make a donation to Peterson Hospice or the charity of your choice.\r\n