Pete Cawthon

Kerrville-Peter Willis Cawthon, Jr ("Pete" or "Big Pete"), age 93, of Hunt, TX went to be with his Lord on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at a local nursing home.

Pete was born August 26, 1921 in Mexia, TX the son of Pete and Virginia Cawthon. He graduated from Lubbock High School in 1939 and went on to attend the University of Oklahoma (OU). His studies, however, were interrupted by World War II. Pete proudly and honorably served his Country as First Lieutenant (Ordnance Corps, U.S. Army) in the European Campaign. After the war, Pete returned to OU where he earned his Master's Degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1949. It was there at OU that Pete met the love of his life, Charlsie McLaughlin, and in 1947 they were married. In January they celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary! Together Pete and Charlsie had three children: Peter, Mark and David.

Pete enjoyed a successful petroleum engineering career. His first job out of college was with Phillips Petroleum (1948-1950). For the next 27 years (1950-1977), Pete worked for First City National Bank (Petroleum & Minerals Dept.) in Houston where he advanced to Senior Vice President. In 1979 he opened a petroleum consulting office in Houston. In the early 1980s, Pete & Charlsie moved to the Hill County where he continued his private practice. Among other honors, Pete was the President of the Petroleum Club of Houston (1976).

Pete was a very strong Christian and he was an active member of Impact Christian Fellowship. He was a "doer of the Word". On a daily basis, he put into practice the scripture that says "Freely you have received, freely give". Many people in the Hill Country community have been greatly blessed because of Pete's generosity. Translated from the Greek, Peter means "rock" and that word best describes him, as Pete was certainly "solid as a rock". He was not only a man of character, but Pete was also a man of his word. This tall, handsome, Texan could light up a room with his great sense of humor and magnetic personality. He was a loving husband, a wonderful father, an awsome grandfather and an outstanding representative of the Christian faith.

Pete loved music & he especially enjoyed the family gatherings when he and the extended family would sit around and sing songs. He taught the family many good old songs that are sure to be passed down from generation to generation.

One of Pete's fondest memories was his senior year in high school (1939). Pete was the quarterback of the Lubbock Westerners when they won the state championship @ the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

His hero was his Father by the same name. As a child, Pete loved to sit with his Dad / Coach Cawthon on the sideline and cheer on the Texas Tech Red Raiders' football team to victory. Many years later, Pete was also there when his Father was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

Pete was preceded in death by his parents, Pete & Virginia Cawthon, his younger brother, Kelly Cawthon and his grand-daughter, Charlsie Swadley.

Those left to honor and cherish his memory are his beloved wife, Charlsie Cawthon, three sons & spouses: Peter and Teresa Cawthon (Oaxaca, Mexico), Mark and Celia Cawthon (Pflugerville, TX), and David and Nancy Cawthon (Hunt, TX). Additionally he is survived by 10 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and 1 great, great-grand-daughter, who affectionately called their grandfather "Big Pete". Grandchildren: Pete IV, Josh, Rose, Gabe, Christina, Annie, Tim, Chris, Katie and Kellie. Great-grandchildren: Micah, Mattie, Lanie, Josiah, Asher, Rye, Amelia, Pete V, Ethan, Sawyer, Christian, Casey, Cathy, Cassidy, Sophie, Richard, Jackson, Aden, Stella, Wesley, Evangeline, Jubilee and Colton. Great, great-grand-daughter: Eva.
Currently there are 3 generations that will be proudly carrying on the Pete Cawthon name: Peter Cawthon III (oldest son); Pete Cawthon IV (grandson) and Pete Cawthon V (great-grandson).

Pete's family takes great delight in knowing that he is now in the very presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who surely welcomed Pete into heaven with these words: "Well done, good and faithful servant"!!

A celebration of Pete's life will be held 11a.m., Saturday, February 14, 2015 at Impact Christian Fellowship (2031 Goat Creek Road, Kerrville, TX.) with Pastor David Danielson officiating. The interment was held at the Hunt Japonica Cemetery in Hunt TX

Special thanks and appreciation to the staff @ Plaza on the River and Peterson Hospice for their professional and compassionate care of Pete.

The family request memorials to Commission to Every Nation (CTEN), P.O. Box 291307, Kerrville, TX 78028.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory at www.kerrvillefuneralhometx.com. Select obituaries, select "sign guestbook" at the top right of the individual memorial.

---