Judge Alton Brooks Laws, Jr.
Alton was born Jan.13, 1926 in Mendoza, Texas, the son of Alton Brooks Laws, Sr., and Alfie (Johnson) Laws. Alton graduated from Austin High School in 1944, then enlisted into the Army, serving in Germany. Alton met and married Joyce D. Laws, April 9, 1949 in Austin while attending The University of Texas, achieving his Bachelor of Business Degree.
In 1950 Alton joined
the J.C. Penny Co. in Austin, and later he moved to San Antonio, Huntsville, Dallas, Shreveport, La., Joplin, Mo., and San Antonio and returned to Austin where he opened the J.C. Penny store in the Barton Creek Mall and retired in 1986. While in Huntsville, Alton was affiliated as a local Board Member of The Boy Scouts of America, as well as in Dallas. In Shreveport and Joplin he was active in Rotary International and Kiwanis Club. While living in Joplin he was elected to the board of the American Cancer Society. He remained in Joplin until his move to San Antonio. He finally returned to Austin in 1981.
He was elected to the board of the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District serving eight years. Upon retiring from Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District, he was elected to the board of the Creedmoor Maha Water Supply Co. In 1985 Alton and his cousin Charles Laws incorporated the City of Mustang Ridge, Texas., where he was elected the first Mayor, Municipal Judge and State Magistrate. He retired as Mayor but remained as Judge and State Magistrate until his death. Alton is registered at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., with the National Register”s Who”s Who in Executives and Professionals.
At the time of Alton”s death, he and Joyce owned and operated a working cattle ranch in Mustang Ridge, where they lived.
Alton was an active member of the First Lockhart Baptist Church and a member of the Friendship Sunday school class.
Alton is survived by his wife Joyce of 58 years; three children, Linda Laws Cooper and her husband Jim, Alton Brooks Laws III and wife Pam, and Larry Lee Laws and wife Terri; nine grandchildren, Michelle Gist and husband Brett, Tiffany Stubbings and husband Jason, Jimmy Cooper and wife Amy, Kim Pendergraft and husband Ryan, Karen Layhew and husband Jason, Kellie Casino and husband Jon, David Laws and wife Angela, Michael Laws and wife Rachel and Heather Laws; 10 great-grandchildren Cade and Preston Gist, Gavin Stubbings, Dylan, Trent and Kayce Layhew, Jaxx Casino, Mallori Hardgrove Laws, Larry Brooks Laws and Ryne Laws.
He is also survived by his sister Katheryn Laws Norwood and husband Lester, and Aunt Nelda Laws of Corpus Christi, Texas, as well as many nieces and nephews and other relatives.
Visitation was held at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 5, 2007 at McCurdy Funeral Home, 105 E. Pecan St. in Lockhart. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6, 2007 at the First Lockhart Baptist Church, 315 Prairie Lea in Lockhart. Internment followed the service in Live Oak Cemetery in Manchaca, Texas.
Acting Pallbearers were Alton B. Laws III, Larry Lee Laws, David Laws, Michael Laws, Jimmy Cooper and Brett Gist. Honorary Pallbearers were James Cooper, Jeff Vermillion, Derek Vermillion, Don Turner, Ryan Pendergraft, Jason Layhew, Jason Stubbings, Jon Casino, Keith Laws, Carroll Norwood and Lloyd Brumley.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the First Lockhart Baptist Church.
Arrangements were under the care and guidance of McCurdy Funeral Home, 105 E. Pecan St., (512) 398-4791.
