Robert Lee Ehrlund

Robert Lee Ehrlund was born on November 21, 1931 in Houston, Texas to Arthur and Ruth (Befeld) Ehrlund. He was a graduate of Austin High School. He served in the Texas Air National Guard from 1951-1954.

Robert was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Mary Lue Ehrlund, on February 9, 1951. He was a devoted husband to Mary Lue until she passed in 2019. Their marriage was blessed with two sons, Ronald Lee “Ronnie” and Larry Thomas.

Robert worked for Texaco as a tanker truck driver for over 26 years. Delivering fuel all over the Houston and surrounding areas. During those years he and Mary Lue owned and operated OST Boarding Kennels in Houston on East OST Drive. After selling the OST Kennels they went into partnership with a good friend to own and operate Spring Branch Pet Bar on Long Point Rd in the Spring Branch area of Houston. In 1976 Robert was in an accident delivering fuel in West Columbia. The tanker truck caught fire and caused severe burns over much of his body. With his strong tenacity and perseverance, he pulled through the injuries and made a remarkable recovery. Retiring from Texaco in 1977. It was then he began working alongside Mary Lue in the boarding and grooming business full time.

He had a love for horses, hunting, and fishing. He supported his granddaughters when they became involved with riding and showing horses. He always enjoyed taking the grandsons on hunting trips. Going to many horse shows and hunting trips with the grandchildren was the perfect family time for him.

Robert was an avid quail and dove hunter. As a hobby, he started out training his own birddogs. He took them on hunts and field trials. Many times, he would come home with a trophy from a field trial. Birddog owners from across Texas came to him to train their birddogs also. He always enjoyed the trips to South Texas for quail and dove hunts with his good friend, Paul Smith.

Robert passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 18, 2026 at Bec’s Blessing Assisted Living in Giddings, TX.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Mary Lue Ehrlund; his son, Larry Thomas Ehrlund; his parents; and his sister, Patsy and husband Wayne McManners.

He is survived by his son, Ronald and wife Carol of Giddings, daughter-in-law Loretta Ehrlund of San Antonio: grandchildren, Robert Ehrlund of Giddings, Justin and wife Latisha of Giddings, Charlotte Ehrlund Potter and husband Steven of Santa Rosa, California, Michele Ehrlund Wright and husband Travis of San Antonio. Great grandchildren Lilly, Violet, and Rose Ehrlund of Giddings, Kyndall and Kade Ehrlund of Giddings, Allison and Brayden Wright of San Antonio.

The family would like to thank the amazing caregivers at Bec’s Blessing. They lovingly cared for him the past five years. And to the ATEX Hospice nurses for the compassionate care they provided for him.

Serving as pallbearers are grandsons Robert and Justin Ehrlund, Travis Wright, and Steven Potter.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Friends of County Pets, 612 Canino Road, Houston, TX 77076 (www.friendsofcountypets.org) or charity of one’s choice.

A visitation will be held on January 30, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home, located at 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023, US.

The funeral service will follow at the same location from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.