Maurice Early, 83, of Lorena passed away on Sat., June 3, 2006. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 6, at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation with family and friends will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, June 5, at Connally/Compton Funeral Directors. Maurice was born the son of George Andrew and Laura Sartor Early on August 5, 1922 in Mexia, Texas. He married the love of his life, Boyce Natalie Mulkey, on March 25, 1962. He served our country in the Air Force for four years and retired from Southwestern Wholesale Drug after 40 years and then retired from Central Freight Lines after 10 years. Maurice was a man with a work ethic that wouldn't quit! Maurice was such a charismatic soul that made each individual he met feel special. He had such a way of interacting with people until recently he would still refer to his daughter's high school friends by name and inquire about their well being. What a kind, gentle and warm sense of humor he possessed. He could bring people to that "gut wrenching" kind of laughter that would soon follow with tears! You'd be hard pressed to find a man who loved and enjoyed his home more than Maurice. His beautiful flower gardens were a testimony to that. His cattle each had names and were almost like buddies to him. The man he was and his friendship will not soon be forgotten. Preceding him in death were his parents, George A. and Laura Early; and sister, Arena Faye Vaughn. Surviving Maurice are his soul mate, Natalie Early of Lorena; daughters, Beverly O'Keefe of Waco and Sherry Housley of Houston; grandchildren, Karla Housley of Houston and Ray Housley, Jr. of Boerne; great-grandchildren, Rachel and Kelly Housley, both of Boerne; sister, Betty Jean Jones and husband, Tom of Lubbock; and the mother of his children, Gloria and her husband, Dr. Walter O'Connell of Bastrop.