Lawrence Alexander Raney Jr.

Lawrence Alexander Raney Jr., son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, friend, teacher, mentor, role model, furniture maker-wood craftsman, lifelong resident of Houston / Bellaire, Texas, fan of Rice University football, and devout Catholic, passed peacefully from this world on Monday, June 28, 2010. He was 93 years of age and was married to Elizabeth Ellen McMillian-Raney for 71 years.

The only child of Mary (Mamie) Christiana Eilenstein and Lawrence Alexander Raney Sr., born November 7, 1916 in Houston, Texas, he left school at the age of 16 to assist his family during the depression by taking a job with Humble Oil / Exxon, with whom he was employed for 50 years and retired for 30 plus years.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by six children: Lawrence A. Raney III & wife Susan Judith, Gary Alan James Raney & wife Mary Kay, Carl Andrew Raney, Mary Annette Raney-Cole & husband Gary Alan, Elizabeth Allyson Cauley, and Robert Anton Raney; eight grandchildren: Lisa Raney-Perronne and husband Derek, Lara Raney and partner Paula Chambers, Patrika Raney-Romano and husband Peter, Gina Raney-Fischer and husband Tom, Faunia Cole-Whisenant and husband Shawn, Tracy Raney-McCarthy and husband James, Gary Raney and wife Julie, Devon Raney, and Zachary Cauley; and six great-grandchildren: Kaley Fischer, Gino Romano, Trey Fischer, Ariana McCarthy, Alexa McCarthy, and Kyra Whisenant.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 3, 2010, 10:30 a.m., Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home, 6700 Ferris, Bellaire, TX 77401.

He would be pleased to have those wishing to acknowledge his presence and influence on their lives do so by making a contribution to a charity of their choosing in his name.

He was a man of faith, commitment, ethics, and moral convictions manifest in his dedication to truth, fairness, and love, who lead and taught through his actions. Though missed, he will be always with us.