Funeral Services for Paul Locker Waldrop Sr. will be held at 10:00 am Monday, April 5, 2010 at Coggin Avenue Baptist Church, Brownwood, Texas with Tim Skaggs and Bill Allen officiating, interment to follow in Greenleaf Cemetery under the direction of Davis Morris Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 6;00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday April 4 at Davis Morris Funeral Home.
Paul Locker Waldrop Sr. went to be with his Lord on April 1, 2010 after a brief illness. Born at home, 1801 Brady Ave. Brownwood, Texas February 5, 1923 to Frank William Waldrop and Lula Belle Asbell Waldrop, he attended Brownwood public schools until he started his construction career at the young age of 16. He married Mary Elizabeth Hames, the daughter of Reverend Harry and Frankie Hames on his 19th birthday, February 5, 1942.
Mr. Waldrop entered the U.S. Air Force April 6, 1943 and trained at Sheppard Field in Wichita Falls and Amarillo Army Field in Amarillo, Texas. He then served as a airplane and small engine mechanic in Sioux City, Iowa until he received his honorable discharge February 27, 1946. His construction career began with Walsh and Burney Construction where he helped build Camp Bowie in Brownwood as well as as the San Marcos, Texas Army Air Field in 1941-1942. After returning from the military in 1946 he started his own construction company. He had partnerships with James Lucas 1951-1953 and Grover Hinesley 1953-1958. During those years he was a licensed real estate broker and insurance agent as well as a building contractor. He then operated as a sole proprietor until 1971 when he developed his partnership with his son, Paul Waldrop Jr.. He was a leader in the construction industry having built hundreds of buildings throughout Texas during his 60 year career. He remained a partner with his son until his passing. He was a longtime member of Brown County Sheriff’s Posse, Brown County Fair Association, Brownwood and Early Chambers of Commerce and was a Master Mason. In 1973 he was named “Outstanding Volunteer” by the Texas Association for Retarded Children for his work in helping Janie Clements develop the first local facilities for Central Texas M.H.M.R. He was a lifetime member of Coggin Avenue Baptist Church where his mother was a founding member.
Paul is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Waldrop; sister, Margaret Hood; daughters, Diane Holland, Evy Winn and husband Rowland, Sue Chiles and husband Keith of Galveston; a son, Paul Waldrop Jr. and wife Lynda; Grandchildren, Sally Haynes and husband Scott, Matt Holland, Tressie Chambers, Rex Winn and wife Gema, Frank Winn, Michelle Brasher and husband Tim, Sam Waldrop and wife Jenny, Becky Warner and husband Phil, Wes Jackson and wife Cory, Brit Jackson and wife Sarah; and 16 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Larry Holland of Brownwood. He will be dearly missed by all.
The family request that in lieu of flower, memorials may be given to Latchkey (after school children’s program), P.O. Box 2121, Brownwood, Tx 76804
