Everett Alan Laas passed away peacefully with family at his side at the Conroe Hospital on April 11, 2021. Everett was born December 29, 1927 to Ernest Grover and Erna E. Westerman Laas, and was brother to Robert Francis "Bob", and William Ernest “Bill” Laas. Above all, he was a decent and generous man, devoted to his family, his church and civic organizations. He was also a determined man, empowered by his intellect and resourcefulness.
His life was not always easy, as he recalled his childhood during the Great Depression, moving from a home with indoor plumbing to one without, and lining his shoes with cardboard to make them last longer. And yet, he not only survived, but thrived. He served his country, enlisting in the army at age eighteen at the end of World War II, and later volunteering. While working for both Schlumberger and Pioneer Airlines over a period of 13 years, he pursued his college education, graduating with a bachelors degree from the University of Houston in Mechanical Engineering in 1960. He then continued to get a Masters in Education in 1975. He taught drafting at San Jacinto High School, and upon its closing was transferred to the Barbara Jordan High School for Careers, a vocational high school, until his retirement. He helped many of his students outside the classroom and was beloved by all. He enjoyed scuba diving, and volunteered for the Harris County Sheriff’s Department investigating sunken boats, and could tell stories about the inside of Jacob’s Well, and the bottom of Buffalo Bayou. He was also an active member of the Shriners for many years, working to help people in need. It seemed every day, he was helping someone, somewhere.
In 1966, he purchased rural property in East Texas, where he spent much of his free time. He started with nothing, securing power to the property. He obtained some abandoned train cabs from Schlumberger which he fashioned together into a dwelling. Over the years, he continued to improve the property, building several structures, digging a well, and buying equipment. He enjoyed beekeeping and sharing honey with his family and friends. Later, when the well went dry, he build a rain catchment system. Many of the projects used scrap. As a child of the Depression, nothing went to waste.
In 1968, he married his beloved wife of 52 years, Annie Fay Keilers. A few years later they had their first son, Alan Glen Laas, followed shortly thereafter by their second son Eric Drew Laas. A lifelong member of the Church of Christ, Everett was an earnest and loving father raising his children to love all people and to keep the principles of Christianity. While raising his family in Southeast Houston, he designed and built the second story on their house, largely by himself. The addition was an EA Laas original, with unique features such as a breakout ceiling on the stairwell for moving large objects in and out of the second story, a doghouse beneath the stairs, and a reading nook above the stairs. He then used this feature to move a large pool table into the finished space for his kids to entertain their teenage friends in a safe environment.
Upon retirement, his lifelong diligence payed off when he and Annie built a golf course home in Panorama Village, which he designed. The home included extreme attention to detail and special touches that only Everett would conceive. He was active in the local Church and was an officer in the Panorama Lions Club for many years, chairing golf tournaments, putting out flags on Veterans Day into his 90’s and working at various other events and causes.
Everett was strong and healthy well into his 80’s, working on the roof at the farm and running a chainsaw, and proving he could do what others told him he could not. There are many, many stories of his kindness and ingenuity beyond those captured here. His life is a shining example of creativity and goodness that made the world a better place to live for all.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers. He is survived by his wife Annie and sons Alan (Lisa) and beloved granddaughter Chloe, Conroe Texas and Eric (Kristi), Austin Texas. Also surviving are his sisters-in-law Gladys Laas and Joyce Taylor; brother-in-law Charles Keilers Sr and his son Charles Keilers Jr; nephews Dan and Don Laas and Randy Patterson; nieces Sandi Brickley, Laura Burleson, Sharlyn Laas, great niece Katie Laas; great nephews Matt and Kyle Laas; dear friend Mike Ray, and many other relatives and friends.
Everett’s legacy of generosity, decency, resourcefulness, and determination lives large in those who knew him.
Friends are invited to gather with his family for a visitation on Friday, April 16, 2021 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Metcalf Funeral Directors in Conroe, Texas. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 1:00 PM at the Oak Knoll Cemetery in Bellville, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, donations in remembrance of Everett can be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, Panorama Lion’s Club, or the Houston Food Bank.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Laas family by clicking the "Add a Memory" tab.
