Dates
Annette Ruth Nixon was born June 20, 1938, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the second daughter of Edgar and Ruth Nixon. She passed away on June 21, 2025.
She graduated from the University of Colorado, receiving a B.S. degree in Business Management with a Teaching Certificate in Secondary Education. After graduation she lived in Denver, Colorado, and held executive secretarial positions at Continental Airlines and Continental Oil.
Laurence Matthews Lasater, a longtime rancher, 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 died on July 2, 2025.
Laurie 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.
Laurie and Annette married November 21, 1964, in Laredo, Texas. They moved to Coahuila, Mexico, where they introduced the Beefmaster breed. Both of their children, Laurence M. “Lorenzo” Lasater, Jr., and Annette Isabel Lasater, were born in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico.
Upon returning to the United States in 1972, they founded Isa Cattle Co., Inc., which markets Beefmaster genetics worldwide, and ranched near San Angelo, Texas, until their retirement in 2014.
A fourth-generation rancher, Laurie served as a director of Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers, 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.
Between the two, Laurie and Annette wrote eight books: Laurie authored The Lasater Philosophy of Cattle Raising in 1972, now in its 17th printing; Welcome to the New Cattle Industry; Tailwind Both Ways; and Great Cattlemen I Have Known. Annette penned Two to Mexico, a memoir of their 10 years living in Mexico; and three children’s books, Lorenzo and Don Clemente; Granddad’s Farm House; and School Days and Book Learnin’.
In San Angelo, Laurie served as elder of the First Presbyterian Church, chairman of the United Way Allocations Committee, and president of the Samaritan Counseling Center. Annette also was an elder of First Presbyterian and served on the Tom Green County Library board and the regional library board, as well as various committees and charity volunteer work.
Laurie and Annette are survived by their son, Lorenzo, and his wife, Leslie, and their daughter, Isabel, and her husband, J.C. Hernandez. They are 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, Elizabeth Wren, and Emma Marie Lasater; and siblings Dixie Nixon, 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 around the world. “Mom A” was a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother whose fierce family devotion and loving heart changed lives for the better. They will both 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 a charity of your choice.