Obituary of Robert M. Lawrence

Robert "Bob" "Bobby" Marshall Lawrence went home to be with his Savior on May 17, 2021 at the age of 72. He was born to Robert William Lawrence and Josephine Gentile Sutton on January 13, 1949 in Houston, Texas.

Growing up, Robert was very active in sports including baseball, for which he was offered a collegiate scholarship. He initially attended Westbury High School and, after spending time in seminary, returned there to graduate. He then attended the University of Houston, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Theta.

Robert met his former wife and lifelong friend, Brenda in 1974 in Houston, Texas. They married in 1981 and went on to have two daughters, Macy and Gina, who were his lifelong pride and joy.

He was a man of many talents and was involved in several career endeavors, which included becoming involved in politics at an early age, banking, sales, and working with prisoners as a licensed substance abuse counselor. Being the adventurous person that he was, he moved to California and, in addition to his regular job in the security business, worked as an extra in several movies and television shows.

With a desire for a slower paced, simpler life, and a longing to enjoy more of God’s beauty, Robert retired to Costa Rica in 2010, and later moved to the mountains of Boquete, Panama in 2012, where he enjoyed the local volcanos of Arenal and Baru. He enjoyed a very fulfilling retirement, which included acting in his first community play. Being the extrovert he was, he established numerous meaningful relationships there, and made many new friends. Robert was blessed to find his second love in Lilly Pitti, and was married to her in November 2020.

In addition to being a devoted and loving father and husband, he was a devout Catholic and follower of Christ, an avid reader and life-long learner, known at an early age as "the professor", a politician in his own right, and a staunch Houston Astros fan with proud Italian roots. Throughout his entire life, he held an unwavering faith in God, which he shared with those around him. He had a long-lasting impact on those who knew him, and will be missed dearly by so many. We can however, take comfort in knowing that he is now home with his Lord and Savior, and that we will be reunited with him again someday.

He joins his father and mother, Robert Lawrence and Josephine Sutton, as well as his nephew, Danny Lawrence, and his second mother, Ola Mae Henson in Heaven. He is survived by his wife, Lilly Lawrence, of Panama, daughters, Macy and Gina Lawrence of Texas, stepdaughters, Yarellys and Ana Hernandez of Panama, sister, Judy Jacobson of Pennsylvania, brother, Michael Lawrence (Corrine) of Texas, brother, Dan Lawrence (Charlene) of New Hampshire, sisters-in-law Teresa, Edis, Nidia, Dalis and Virna Pitti of Panama, brothers-in-law Rene, Romulo and Luis Pitti of Panama, nieces Kristen Gaudet of Rhode Island, Lauren Jacobson Dickstein of Pennsylvania, Suzanne Jacobson of New York and Abigail and Anna Lawrence of Texas, nephews Matt Jacobson of Georgia and Noah and Caleb Lawrence of Texas, as well as several cousins and lifelong friends.

A Recitation of the Holy Rosary and Vigil for the Deceased will begin at 6:00 p.m., July 9, 2021 at Joseph J. Earthman Generations, 234 Westcott Street in Houston, Texas, immediately followed by eulogies and the sharing of memories of Bobby. A visitation with the family will then follow. 

A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 10, 2021 at Annunciation Catholic Church, 1618 Texas Avenue in Houston, Texas.

For those desiring, donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

"For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands." 2 Corinthians 5:1

"And he said to him, "truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise." Luke 23:43