Laurence Wackman

Laurence Grooms Larry Wackman, 57, died November 3, 2007, at Trinity Medical Center in Brenham. He was born August 15, 1950 in Houston, the son of Margaret Grooms and Warren F. Wackman, Sr. Larry graduated from Kinkaid High School in Houston, and attended Washington and Lee University in Virginia and the University of Texas. He followed his father into the family business. At the time of his death, Larry was owner and president of Southline Metal Products in Houston, and Amerecon Drum in Clute, Texas. Larry met his wife, Ann Coffee, when his family purchased ranch property near Harrison, Nebraska, where her family ranches to this day. Ann and Larry courted at the ranch on horseback, and married in Harrison on December 28, 1977. They shared the same birthday and enjoyed many rousing celebrations over the years. They have four children: Christopher Coffee, William Travis, Tyler Kennedy, and Catherine Claire. He and Ann made their home in Washington County, and continued a Wackman family tradition by spending summers at Epworth Heights in Ludington Michigan. Their cottage, Lincoln Lodge, was the scene of many happy memories for their family and friends. Larry served as a trustee on the Epworth board. Larry was proud of his children. This past year he delighted in the marriages of his sons Travis to Samantha Parker, and Chris to Claire St. Amour. He saw his daughter Claire graduate from Brenham High School and begin her college career, and saw his son Tyler, a college senior, receive promising career offers in anticipation of graduation this spring. Larry Wackman loved the out of doors. He enjoyed hunting deer, but even more than hunting, he enjoyed videotaping them. He loved time spent with friends fishing for marlin in the Bahamas and Mexico and salmon in Michigan. He shared his father s love of classic cars. Horses, though, were his foremost hobby and passion. He was a proud member of the American Quarter Horse Association, and looked forward each spring to the arrival of the new colts which would prove the success of the Windy Acres Stables breeding program. Larry was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Ann, and their four children, and many friends in the business and horse communities. Memorials may be given to the Steel Creek Ranch, 6055 Hearne Road, Bryan, Texas, 77808; Epworth Church Association, 1161 North Lakeshore Drive, Ludington, Michigan, 49431; or a charity of the donor s choosing. Funeral services will take place at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 7, 2007, at the Antique Rose Emporium, Independence, Texas. Visitation with family and friends will take place Tuesday, Nov. 6, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel. In case of inclement weather, the funeral will be held at First United Methodist Church in Brenham. The graveside service will be at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday at Forest Park Lawndale in Houston. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham.