Roll Call Tribute

Lory Jay "L.J." Absher, DVM 

September 16, 1946 - May 21, 2025 

Dr. Lory Jay “L.J.” Absher, a brilliant and compassionate veterinarian whose dedication to animal care spanned more than five decades, passed away peacefully at home, into the arms of God, on May 21, 2025, at the age of 78.

Lory, known to many simply as “Doc,” was born on September 16, 1946, in Duncan, Oklahoma, to L.J. and Helen Jackson Absher. He graduated from Midland High School in 1965, then pursued undergraduate studies at Texas Tech University. After a brief time in dental school at UT Houston, he found his true passion in veterinary medicine, graduating summa cum laude from Texas A&M University in 1972. He then began what would become a remarkable 53 year career in veterinary practice.

On August 14, 1967, Lory married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth Maberry, with whom he shared almost 58 years of marriage. They settled in Arlington, Texas, building a veterinary practice and raising two daughters, Lisa and Tracey. Doc treated countless animals with skill, compassion, and respect—especially cats, for whom he had a particular fondness.

He was a proud member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Arlington Sportsman Club, and Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. Outside the clinic, he led a full and vibrant life: hunting, teaching hunter safety courses, supporting/following baseball and girls’ softball, building and welding projects in his big red barn, grilling his famous ribs with “secret sprinkle,” and spending cherished family time at Lake LBJ and his ranch, Rancho de la Paloma.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; brother, Lennol (Bonny); daughters, Lisa Odom (Scott) and Tracey Smith (Kevin); his grandchildren, Haleigh (Nathan), Garrett, Hayden (Madison), and Ashley; great-grandchildren, Caroline, Kendall, Quinn, and Ryder.

In keeping with Doc’s well-known dislike of funerals, the family will honor his life privately with a Celebration of Life at a later date.

Those wishing to honor his legacy are invited to make donations to Texas A&M Veterinary Medicine scholarship funds: https://vetmed.tamu.edu/giving/