Wilburn E. “Senator” Laas, age 91, passed away Monday, November 20, 2017.
He was born in Schulenburg, Texas to the late Edgar and Annie Beneker Laas. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Sara Puig Laas, and by his four children: Lynn Vaughan, (John) of Victoria, Texas; Kathleen Laas-Sughrue, Katy, Texas; Bill Laas (Janet), Ezzell, Texas; and Carol (Mike) Dituri, Pacific Palisades, California. He leaves behind 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Also left to mourn his loss are Sara’s children: Arthur (Nancy) Ochoa, The Woodlands, Texas; Mark (Isabel) Ochoa, Laredo, Texas; Philip (Sharyn) Ochoa, Moorpark, California; Claire Ochoa Weaver (Kevin), Glen Allen, Virginia; his brother Lloyd (Toñita) Laas of Sugarland, Texas; nephew George Altgelt of Austin, Texas; and great-nephew George Joseph Altgelt of Laredo.
He was preceded in death by his sister Joyce Laas Biry, and brother Glen Laas.
Laas served in World War II on the submarine U.S.S. Queenfish 393. A lifelong cattleman, he operated a feedlot near Laredo during the 1960’s in the area now known as El Cenizo. He also lived in Laredo again from 2013 to 2016.
A memorial service will take place in Austin, TX on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at 2 p.m. at Mayfield Park and Preserve, 3505 W. 35th Street, Austin, Texas.