Roll Call Tribute

Laird W. Laurence 
August 3, 1954 - February 14, 2023

Laird Wayne Laurence, 68, of Fredericksburg, Texas, passed away peacefully on February 14, 2023.

Laird was the eldest of three children to Jack and Lucille Laurence born on August 3, 1954 in San Antonio, Texas. After Laird graduated from Churchill High School in 1972, he went on to study veterinary medicine at Texas A&M University.

Upon graduating as a veterinarian in 1978, Laird worked in East Texas for a couple of years before moving to Fredericksburg, Texas, his beloved home for the rest of his life. Since childhood, his stated goal was to move to Fredericksburg as an adult. The Laurence Family ranch was located in Willow City, and as a child Laird would take the Greyhound Bus from San Antonio to Fredericksburg, spending time with his adored grandfather in nature. The opening of Hill Country Veterinary Clinic, on Highway 16 South, in the early 1980’s was the culmination of this goal.

Laird practiced at Hill Country Clinic for over 30 years. During that time he mentored countless local youth with an interest in animal sciences and worked with Fredericksburg High School to develop work programs at the clinic. His distinguished veterinary career included several awards including Food Animal Practitioner of the Year by the Texas Veterinary Medical Association in 1989 and as a Distinguished Alumni by Texas A&M Veterinary School.

In addition to his practice, Laird traveled extensively consulting for pharmaceutical companies and major cattle operations from Venezuela to Hawaii. Anyone who knew Laird knows that he loved his practice, not for any award or accolade, but because of those he worked with and his clients. Laird’s easy smile and comfortable disposition welcomed everyone who entered his clinic. His caring and empathetic nature was perfectly suited to help both animals and people in their times of need. Outside of veterinary medicine, Laird co-founded the Fredericksburg Brewing Company among many other business ventures, idleness was never his strong suit.

In 1984, he met his former wife Karen Laurence at her parents ranch in Johnson City. They were married in 1985 surrounded by friends and family. In 1986, Laird and Karen had their first child, Sam, followed two and half years later by their second child Anna. Laird worked hard to provide his children with a loving home full of animals and joy. He will be remembered by them for his example of hard work and caring nature towards others.

Laird’s most enduring qualities were his abilities to foster a community around him and his unwavering commitment to help others. Many in Fredericksburg will remember his clinic not as an animal hospital but as the neighborhood meet up. Laird relished the moments his friends would come to the clinic and they would spend countless hours telling jokes and laughing. Laird would often have tears running down his face with laughter recalling something said. He cared deeply for his friends and this care extended to all he came into contact with. Laird would often leave dinner early to meet someone with a problem at the clinic and had no problem waking at 2 AM to pull a calf. Laird never ever took the easy way out at work and his dedication was evident to all. Laird particularly developed close relationships with his older clients, that often included house calls, delivering meals, and most importantly listening to any and everything they wanted to discuss. This was most evident with the care he showed his mother and father-in-law, Marjorie and Sam Benignus. He was a devoted son-in-law to both and his happiest moments were shared at their dinner table. Their love for him was like that of a son, and he returned that love with devotion that extended into their last moments of life.

The Laurence Family would like to thank Ida Hernandez and Sandra Weinheimer, and the caring dedicated staff of Knopp’s Retirement Center.

A greeting of friends will be held on Monday, February 20th from 11 A.M. to 2 P.M. in the chapel of the Schaetter Funeral Home, Fredericksburg

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be given in his memory to Fredericksburg SPCA, PAWS or to the charity of your choice.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent at www.schaetter.com 

Funeral arrangements under the direction of the Schaetter Funeral Home.