Lemuel Scarbrough

Lem was born on July 31, 1934 to Lemuel Scarbrough, Sr. and Margaret Caldwell Scarbrough. He went to Austin public schools, graduating from Austin High. He attended his freshman year at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, CO transferring and graduating with a degree in Business from Austin College in Sherman, TX. At Austin College Lem was on the tennis team and a member of Phi Sigma Alpha fraternity. After college Lem began working in his family's department store, E. M. Scarbrough & Sons, which was located in the Scarbrough Building on the southwest corner of Congress Avenue and Sixth Street. He developed a love of merchandising for the rest of his life.

Lem was married to Alice Ann Rotsch of Austin, TX from 1965 to 1992. They adopted two children, Douglas and Lynn Ellen. In 1995 Lem rekindled a friendship from his youth with Frances Billingsley of Snyder, TX. Lem and Frances were married from 1997 until her death in 2007.

Traveling was a passion for Lem, especially on trains and cruise lines. He awoke every morning wanting to leave that day on a trip. He also enjoyed classical music and Longhorn sports, especially baseball. Lem was a member of The Knights of the Symphony, The Austin Assembly, The English-Speaking Union and University Presbyterian Church. What Lem loved most was keeping in touch with friends from his school days and travels.

Lem is survived by his son, Douglas Scarbrough of Granite Shoals, TX; his daughter, Lynn Ellen Ryals, her husband, Chris and their two children, Garrett and Shelby of Austin, TX; his sister, Margaret Scarbrough Wilson of Austin, TX; and his niece, Nancy Scarbrough Garrison of Austin, TX.

Special appreciation is given to his many caregivers. Jasmine Marshall helped him to keep doing the activities he enjoyed, Neema Pantelakis provided her true concern and kindness, and Tammy Shepherd gave special care and love to both Lem and Frances.

If you wish to honor Lem, please make a memorial contribution to the charity of your choice. A graveside service at the Scarbrough family site in Oakwood Cemetery will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 12, 2016.