Richard N. Lawlor

Richard is survived by his loving wife, Donna Waxler-Lawlor; eldest daughter, Robin Hill; son, Richard Lawlor III; daughter, Candice Burton; eight beautiful grandchildren, Sarah, Anthony, Megan, Nicholas, Christopher, Faith, Adriauna and Andrew; and great grand-daughter, Gabby. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Sr., Cindy and Mother Bert; two brothers, Paul and Bill; and sister, Marian.

Richard was born to Richard Nicholas Lawlor Sr. and Cindy Robin Pendrak on Sept. 23, 1939, in San Francisco. He grew up in Grass Valley, California, and graduated from high school in 1957. Richard proudly served four years in the Air Force and attended the University of Montana.

Richard raised his daughter Robin and later married Vicki Karlson-Lawlor; together they had Richard and Candice. His children will remember him as a teacher of honorable character, hard work and the importance of pursuing goals. He remains the loving strength that he has always been in our lives.

Richard dedicated 25 years to AAA as an insurance salesman and was the first licensed agent in Montana. After 16 years of service at Bitterroot Motors in Montana, Richard retired and moved to Texas to be nearer to family. Led to love, Richard married his wife Donna. The two of them traveled the country with their faithful dog Rex. Richard and Donna enjoyed paths of history, adventure and family. Richard was and always will be Donna's Montana Mountain Man.

Richard was a skilled woodworker, avid hunter and fisherman. He was happiest when he was outdoors. Richard once stared down a Mama Grizzly, was bitten by a rattlesnake when he was a young boy and lived to tell the stories. All things were done with the spirit of a cowboy.

Richard was a simple mountain man who loved his family and everyone he met. He loved to tell a story and always had a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face. He had a booming laugh and a joy for life that he shared with all he met.

Thank you, Lord, for the life of your son Richard. It is with peace that we know he rests with you and will be remembered for his joyous laughter, his bold character and his mighty love. So long for now.

A Celebration of Richard's Life will be at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, December 5, 2015 in the Nature Garden of Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park with Deacon Art Cavazos officiating.

"There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. Yet that will be the beginning." – Louis L’Amour