Luther Louis Laskie

Luther Louis Laskie, 96 years old, of Riverside, Texas, passed away July 25, 2016, at Cornerstone Hospital in Conroe, Texas. Luther was born in Pine Prairie in Walker County to Clarence and Emma Laskie on May 21, 1920. He was the second child of their five children. When his dad became grounds keeper at Sam Houston, the family lived in a house in the Sam Houston Park. His older sister, Gussie, worked in the museum and showed visitors through the historic homes in the park. One day when she needed to go into Huntsville, she asked her younger brother, Luther, to take over her duties while she was gone. It was during that time that First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt with her security personnel visited the park and he had the opportunity to guide her through the park. Luther later served as timekeeper for the National Youth Administration before enlisting in the Army during World War II on February 9, 1942. Luther was very proud and honored to serve his country and could entertain you for hours with very detailed stories and pictures of his time during his four years of service. He did his basic Army training at Camp Wolters in Mineral Wells, Texas, going through a rigid course of Infantry training before being transferred to in December of 1942 to the Army Air Force at Robbins Field, Georgia, where he received heavy machine gunner and Military Policeman training. After additional overseas preparations, Sgt. Laskie arrived in England in June, 1943, and was assigned to duty at the heavy bombardment Flying Fortress Eighth Air Force base in Kimbolton, England. As a Military Policeman at this field, he proved capable of handling a large body of men and assigning them to the important post of directing traffic during the times the planes were taking off and returning from a combat mission. He also stood guard for many hours at a time checking incoming and outgoing vehicles at the main gate of the base. His duties also included transporting military prisoners during the war between Scotland and England. On June 7, 1944, he was chosen as part of the body of Military Policemen to guard the Royal Party (King George, Queen Elizabeth, Princess Elizabeth, and US Army Air Force General James Doolittle) as they toured the base and viewed the inspection of B-17 planes. He was discharged November 6, 1945. Returning to Huntsville, he was employed at Sam Houston State College in December, 1945, and served under presidents Dr. Harmon Lowman, Dr. Elliott Bowers, and Dr. Frank Leathers. When he retired after 38 years, he was in charge of the new construction on the campus. Together with his father Clarence’s 29 years of service to Sam Houston, and his brother Fred’s 33 years of service, they had a total of 100 years of dedicated service to Sam Houston State. On August 11, 1945, he married Louise Catherine Strickland and they made their home in Huntsville and had one daughter, Carolyn Ann Laskie. In 1969, they moved to Riverside, Texas, and developed Pleasure Hill Subdivision, the first subdivision in Walker County on Lake Livingston. He was a great gardener, fisherman, loved catfish cookouts at their home, and enjoyed many waterskiing outings with his daughter. He served as a Riverside City Councilman for 18 years and Mayor for 2 years. He also has been an active member of the First Christian Church in Huntsville for 68 years since December 5, 1948 where he served as a Deacon and on the Church Board for many years. He is survived by his daughter: Carolyn Ann Laskie of Riverside; brother: Felix Laskie of Riverside; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife: Louise Catherine Laskie; brother: Fred Laskie; sisters: Gussie Denney and Hazel Cain; and his beloved pet dogs: Jimilou, Lucky, and Buddy. Visitation will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 27, at Sam Houston Funeral Home at 1700 Normal Park in Huntsville, Texas 77340. The funeral service will be at the First Christian Church at 1800 Ave. R in Huntsville, Texas 77340, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 28 with Pastor Joel Saucedo officiating. There will be a reception in the Fellowship Hall at the church beginning at 10 a.m. before the service. Interment will follow in the Riverside Pioneer Cemetery located at Hwy. 19 and Front Street in Riverside, Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice; to the First Christian Church, 1800 Ave. R, Huntsville, Texas 77340; or Rita B. Huff Animal Shelter, 530 Bearkat Blvd., Huntsville, Texas 77340. Full obituary may be viewed and memorial condolences made to the family at www.shmfh.com.

Luther Louis Laskie

May 21, 1920 - July 25, 2016