Jimmie Laurie

Retired Roby ISD Superintendent Jimmie "Prof" Laurie, 87, passed away Monday, March 26, 2018 in his home in Roby. Graveside rites were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 29, at Roby Cemetery.
Born Feb. 24, 1931 in Darrouzett, TX, he was the son of the late Emma and Jim Laurie.
He graduated from Texas Tech in 1952 where he met the love of his life and his future wife, Lynda Webb of Roby. The couple married July 24, 1953 in Roby and marked their 64th anniversary in 2017.
Mr. Laurie began his teaching career as an ag teacher in Lamesa. He moved to Roby to become the ag teacher at Roby ISD in 1954 where he earned his nickname "Prof." He became the superintendent in 1978, a position he held until he retired in 1990.
Soon after arriving in Roby, Mr. Laurie initiated a program to teach farmers to weld in become less reliant on blacksmiths to repair their equipment.
During his 36-year carrier in Roby ISD, Mr. Laurie organized the Fisher County Young Famers Association and oversaw the construction of a new gym, cafeteria and band hall.
At his retirement, Mr. Laurie shared his personal motto, "Treat everyone fair - let them know they are important. If you do that, there's no end to what you can get out of young people and adults, too."
He was also a former member of the Roby Lion Club and the Roby Volunteer Fire Department.
He was known as Prof during his career but was affectionately known as DonDad by his three grandsons and five great-grandchildren.
After his retirement, he and Lynda enjoyed fishing, traveling, gardening and raising pecans. He won grand champion of the Big Country Area Pecan Show nine times and dozens of blue ribbons for the pecans he raised at his home.
The family thanks Stewart Carey for always being there when he was needed.
He is survived by his wife, Lynda Laurie; two daughters and sons-in-law, Jemmye Leigh Johnson (Jim) of Hamlin and Jill Craig (Rick) of Tolar; three grandsons, Jake Johnson (Kayla) of Hamlin, Josh Craig (Traci) of Paris, TX and Clay Craig of Austin; five great-grandchildren, Jaleigh, Jaedyn and Jett Johnson and Kallen and Hadley Craig.
Pallbearers were Stewart Carey, Jim Johnson, Rick Craig, Jake Johnson, josh Craig and Clay Craig.

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