Laurence Matthews Lasater

Laurence Matthews Lasater, a longtime rancher, died on July 2, 2025.

Laurie was born October 21, 1941, in San Antonio, Texas, the eldest child of Thomas and Mary Casey Lasater, founders of the Beefmaster breed of cattle.

He graduated from the eighth grade in Simla, Colorado, and attended Fountain Valley School near Colorado Springs and Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, graduating in 1953. Laurie graduated with honors from Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey, in 1963.

After military service, he married Annette Nixon in 1964. They moved to Coahuila, Mexico, where they introduced the Beefmaster breed and lived until 1972. Both of their children, Laurence M. “Lorenzo” Lasater, Jr., and Annette Isabel Lasater were born in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico.

In 1972, the Lasaters moved to San Angelo, where he founded and was chairman of Isa Cattle Co., Inc., which markets Beefmaster genetics worldwide.

Laurie authored four books: The Lasater Philosophy of Cattle Raising in 1972, which was published by The University of Texas-El Paso and is now in its 17th printing and translated into Spanish and Russian; Welcome to the New Cattle Industry; Tailwind Both Ways; and Great Cattlemen I Have Known.

A fourth-generation rancher, Laurie served as a director of Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and Nolan Ryan Beef. He also served as president of Foundation Beefmaster Association, and in 2000 he was honored as Beefmaster Breeders United’s Breeder of the Year. Laurie was inducted into the BBU Hall of Fame in 2016 and the Texas Heritage Hall of Honor in 2020 in recognition of his contributions to the state’s agricultural heritage.

In San Angelo, he served as elder of the First Presbyterian Church, chairman of the United Way Allocations Committee, and board president of the Samaritan Counseling Center.

Laurie is preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Annette. He is survived by their son, Lorenzo, and his wife, Leslie, as well as their daughter, Isabel, and her husband, J.C. Hernandez. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Laurence M. “Watt” Lasater, III, and his wife, Addison; Beau Cameron Lasater and his wife, Paige; and Luke Laurence, Benjamin Lasater, and Sabella Ivy Hernandez; three great-grandchildren: Jaxon James and Elizabeth Wren Lasater and Emma Marie Lasater; and two of his siblings, Lane Lasater and Sally Lasater.

Although known for his many ranching accomplishments, “Dad L” was devoted to his family and cherished spending time with them. His larger-than-life persona touched many, and he will be deeply missed.

A combined memorial service for Laurie and Annette will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts to the Beefmaster Educational Endowment Foundation (www.beefmasterfoundation.org) or the charity of your choice.