Raymond L. Lott

Lott’s firm, which he started in downtown Killeen in 1954 and eventually became known as Lott Vernon and Company, grew from 10 employees to a staff of 42 and seven partners, with offices in Killeen, Temple and Copperas Cove.

By the time Lott retired in November 2001, the firm was responsible for filing more than 2,500 tax returns annually and served as auditors for the city of Killeen, Killeen Independent School District, Central Texas College and the Bell County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1, as well as several area businesses.

“The whole Lott Vernon and Company family is saddened by Mr. Lott’s passing,” said Ron Stepp, the firm’s president. “One of the reasons this company is a thriving CPA firm is the values instilled by Mr. Lott and Mr. Vernon — values like loyalty and integrity.”

Stepp, who came to Lott Vernon as a staff accountant in August 1979, said Lott was not only his boss, but he became a mentor and a friend.

“Working for him was truly an opportunity to learn,” Stepp said. “He meant so much to me, to this firm and to our community.”

John Crutchfield, president of the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce, also praised Lott’s contribution to the community.

“It can be said that the community leaders of today stand on the shoulders of community leaders who preceded them,” Crutchfield said in an email. “Lott Vernon and Company has certainly been a foundation business in downtown Killeen. Many community leaders have come from that company. None more significant than the founders, Ray Lott and Wallace Vernon.”

Vernon, who joined Lott’s firm in 1966 and became a partner four years later, remembered Lott fondly. “He and I had a very long, amicable, successful business partnership. I always found him to be very ethical and very fair in all his business dealings.”

Vernon added, “He was a person you could rely on; he was always ready to help you. He was a faithful friend.”

Vernon, a Texas Tech graduate, said Lott was a true Texas Longhorn. “He was fairly obnoxious about it,” Vernon laughed, adding that Lott always was ready with a joke, “especially at the expense of the (Texas A&M) Aggies.”

“Ray was very involved in the community, very involved in his church,” Vernon said. “We’ll miss him.”

After graduating from high school, Lott served a two-year stint in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II from 1944 to 1946. Lott then attended the University of Texas and graduated in 1949 before moving to Killeen the following year.

His community involvement started soon after he arrived.

In 1955, at age 29, Lott became the youngest-ever president of the Killeen Chamber of Commerce. He also served as president of the Killeen Industrial Foundation in 1957 and 1958.

In 1962, Lott was elected to the Killeen City Council and re-elected in 1964.

Lott was proud he was the first male to head the Fowler Elementary School PTA in 1956.

Lott’s son, Lee, said his father’s significant service to the community was based on his genuine pride in Killeen as his home.

Longtime service

For more than 60 years, Lott was a member of the Killeen Kiwanis Club, serving as the group’s president in 1998 and 1999. The charitable organization honored Lott in 2000 with the Legion of Honor award for his 50 years of service. The city of Killeen also honored him that year by proclaiming July 27, 2000, as Raymond L. Lott Day.

Lott also served as a director of the Metroplex Hospital Foundation from 1982 to 2000 and as its president in 1986.

Retired longtime Killeen businessman Cleo Bay remembered Lott as a trusted adviser and a good friend.

“I was one of his first customers, and he was my accountant ever since,” Bay said. “He helped us an awful lot through the years, gave us lots of good advice on taxes and business ventures. He was very meticulous, very good at his job.

“We also went hunting and fishing together. He was a good friend,” Bay said. “Ray was one of the originals who helped to build Killeen.”

Killeen businessman and former Killeen school board member Bill Kliewer also remembered Lott fondly.

“He was always very professional in everything he did,” Kliewer said. “He loved his family, loved his kids and loved the Texas Longhorns. Ray was a great community leader, very involved in financial affairs of the community. And he did a great deal for me. He’ll be missed.”

Survivors include two children, Lee Lott and Linda Erskine; five grandchildren; and one recently born great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by Mary, his wife of 60 years, in 2009; and by a daughter, Amelia, in 1962.

Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen, which is in charge of arrangements.

A graveside service is at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Killeen City Cemetery.