Wayne Orbin Lawrence
Wayne Orbin Lawrence, 82, a longtime resident of San Leon, Texas, passed away peacefully on August 20, 2026. Wayne was born on November 18, 1943, in Vivian, Louisiana to loving parents, Orbin Lawrence and Myrtle Sue Hall Lawrence. When he was 2, the family moved to Galveston, TX. There he attended school and eventually met the love of his life Mary Lou Maritnez. They married in 1962 and together they raised four daughters. They were married sixty-four years.
Wayne had an entrepreneurial spirit; he went on to successfully own and operate many diverse businesses over the years: Lawrence’s Grocery #1 and #2, Wayno’s Bar and Grill, Cheers Liquor, and various rental properties. Although he was a successful businessman, he was most proud of his family.
Wayne is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Tina McCaskey, Jean Calloway, Jimmie Reynolds and Irene Ware and brother, Glenn Lawrence. He leaves behind to treasure his memory, his loving wife, Mary Lou Lawrence; daughters, Mary (Liz) Elliott, Brenda Henson and husband, Doug, Donna Bottera and husband, James and Samantha Loring and husband, Jonny; grandchildren, Phillip Yohan, Leslie Elliott, Tiffany Henson and husband Chris, Shawn Marquis and wife Melissa, Shelbie Lang and husband RJ, and Landon Loring and numerous great and great-great grandchildren along with cousins, nieces, and nephews.
There will be a private, family only service on Thursday, August 27th at Crowder Funeral Home, Dickinson, TX followed by a Celebration of Life for all friends and family at Top Water Grill in San Leon at 2:00pm. The Celebration of Life will end with a stop at Wayno’s for a toast to honor the life of “Wayno.”
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made n his name to Bay Area Pet Adoptions or Sisters Helping Sisters.
Sending prayers for the family.
When I was a kid, Lawrence’s grocery was THE grocery store in town. Mary, Wayne, Glen and Sandra were always there – smiling , greeting everyone and working hard. Our deepest condolences to his family.
It’s not often you meet a man who is larger than life. A man who loved his family above all else. A man who made so many smile and laugh. Man who until the very end had a crazy since of humor but that was Wayne. Aka Wayno
RIP Wayne. San Leon will not been the same without you
Wayne was a dear friend of mine for many years. Growing up as a teeny bopper in San Leon it was always fun listening to his stories of life. In hard times of my life, he once cut up some frozen venison and packaged it up for free. That was in the late 70`s. He always had a smile on his face, and personally I know he had a good heart towards others. Missed, and will always be remembered! Rest in peace my longtime friend.
Wayne was a great man and his wife Mary helped my brother J and I after my mom moved to California and left us in San Leon alone. They took us under their wing and provided meals for us. It may be a burger or it may have been something else, but they Always made sure we had something to eat every day back in the mid 1970s. I appreciate that family more than anyone can never know. Thank you Wayne for being there when my mother couldn’t.
My condolences to the family –
A long chapter in the history of San Leon. Sleepy little fishing village (the good old days) that Wayne was part of the growth to what it has grown to today. He left his mark on the town. RIP
Eunice Perry Henderson
Our deepest condolence.
Wayne was a wonderful person and a great friend to us he definitely will be truly missed
Glen and Terry Barton