Lori Tullos Barta

Lori Michelle Tullos was born on July 24, 1971, in Houston, Texas, to Gerald and Mary Perez Tullos. After attending St. Pius X High School, she attended Texas A&M University, graduating in 1993 with a degree in speech communications. Lori received her J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law in 1996, and has practiced law in Austin since that time. She was an Assistant General Counsel at the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, and has been a board member of the Austin Young Lawyers Association.

She met Adam Barta in Austin and they were married in the Umlauf Sculpture Gardens October 5, 2001.

In addition to her beloved husband and daughters, Lori is survived by her father Gerald and stepmother Susan Gilbert Tullos of Livingston, TX; her brother, Michael Lee Tullos, wife Erin and nephews Sam, Jack and Max of Bartlesville, OK; mother-in-law Ann Barta, father-in-law and stepmother Adam Paul and Ellie Gorka Barta and brother-in-law Mark Barta, wife Barbie and nephews Breydon and Teagan, all of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins; and countless friends.

She was predeceased by her mother, Mary Perez Tullos and grandparents Ivy and Edith Tullos and MacLovio and Anita Perez.

Her family was her great love; she fashioned a beautiful, wondrous home environment for Adam and the girls, including a special play room with hand-painted mural created from unused attic space and a back yard Fairy Garden, a delight to enter and behold.

A close second love in her life was the Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas (DSACT). She began her journey with other travelers in that organization following the birth of middle daughter Hannah. Lori changed the pace of DSACT and touched countless lives in the process. As volunteer, DSACT president, and educational trailblazer, Lori’s programs and outreach initiatives changed the awareness of and inclusion for children and adults with Down syndrome in Central Texas. After working all day, she spent many nights at home after her girls were in bed on the

development of an Educator Manual and training program for teachers of individuals with Down syndrome, based on countless hours of research.

In 2008, she was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities, which recognizes Austin citizens whose volunteer service to the community has made a substantial contribution to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities. The Educator Manual and training program are in use in local school districts. She also led efforts for training of parents whose children will be entering elementary schools in an inclusive environment, for a faith-based Inclusive Congregation Campaign, and for training of health care providers regarding the capabilities of individuals with Down syndrome.

She did these things because of her love of God and of people, and her conviction that we have an imperative to leave the world better than we found it. She was strong, and powerful, and courageous. Two of her favorite quotes were about courage: “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.” (Ambrose Redmoon) and “Courage is being scared to death – and saddling up anyway.” (John Wayne).

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in honor of Lori Barta to DSACT, 3710 Cedar Street, Box 3, Austin, TX 78705; or donate online at: www.dsact.com.

The family will receive visitors at Weed-Corley-Fish, 3125 N. Lamar in Austin, Monday, Aug. 23, 6-8 pm. Memorial Service will be held at Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 3201 Windsor Road, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2 p.m.