Allen G. Lawler's Obituary
ALLEN LAWLER
Somewhere is heaven, Daddy is laughing with the angels, with a twinkle in his eyes. After a long struggle with Alzheimer's and only a short bout with lung cancer, Allen G. Lawler died Sunday, May 9, 2010, at home in Hallsville surrounded by his family. Home is where he always wanted to be and he got his final wish.
Mr. Lawler was born in Malta, Texas, on June 23, 1922 to Evan Swain Lawler and Elizabeth Russell Lawler. He attended Texarkana, Arkansas, schools graduating from Arkansas High School in 1941. His high school years were filled with numerous athletic accomplishments including All-State honors in football and track. He received numerous Division 1 scholarship offers but was convinced by J.K. Wadley to attend the University of Texas. He played for the Longhorns as a running back and was part of the team that won the Sugar Bowl in 1945. While playing football for the Longhorns, roommates ranged from the ridiculous to the sublime including Bobby Layne and Tom Landry. Even though he was on a football scholarship, Coach Clyde Littlefield wanted him to run track and worked out a plan with Coach DX Bible so that he could do both. In the 40's, this was unheard of. He ran on the 400-relay team setting numerous records in Conference and National track meets. He was ranked as one of the world class sprinters in the 40's, a time when he said he, Mel Patton, and Jesse Owen "flirted with the world record every time we ran."
In 1947, he was selected for a 9-man track team from across the United States to tour Europe for six weeks. When he won the 100-yard dash while in Europe, the UT Tower was lit orange in his honor. Because his trip was paid by AAU and he won prizes, the track team was declared ineligible for the Olympics.
In 1948, he signed a contract to play for the Chicago Bears along with Bobby Layne, quarterback from the same Texas team. But Texas called him back home and he returned to Austin to finish his master's degree when he was offered the coaching job at Austin High School, then at San Angelo Junior College. Finally, in 1953, he returned to Texarkana, hanging up his cleats, to work with his father. In 1966, he began a 20-year career with the Texas Employment Commission, working in Texarkana, Mt. Pleasant, Greenville, Marshall, and Longview offices. He retired in 1986 as Assistant District Manager.
While sports were an important part of his life, so was his wife, Vivian. In 1935, Vivian first met Allen while she was 12 and declared at that time that she was going to marry that boy. Sweethearts throughout Junior and Senior high school, they married in 1942. From 12 years old till the day he died, Vivian loved that twinkle in his eye as much as she loved him. She was truly devoted to him and they loved each other immeasurably.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Sybil L Clark. He is survived by his wife, Vivian Bush Lawler; daughters, Linda Branch of Cabot, AR, and Cathy Pierce and husband, Tom, of Longview, TX; one sister, Lucille Nicholson of Hallsville, TX, two grandchildren who are very special to him Kimberly Pierce of Austin, TX and Thomas "Tee" Pierce and his wife, Jodie, of Allen, TX; three great-grandchildren, Caroline, Jack and Ben Pierce of Allen, special family friend, Dr. Rachele Smith, and several nieces and nephews. He was the last one in his group of friends as they all preceded him in death. Happily, they are all now in heaven planning a round of golf or a poker game.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks special caregivers are Vicki Jackson, Tammy Johnson, and LaVora Clough and to Lifecare Hospice and Leslie for the care during Mr. Lawler's illness. Visitation will be held at Rader's Funeral Home in Longview on Monday, May 10, 2010 from 6:00 until 8:00 pm. A gravesite service will be held at Hillcrest Cemetery in Texarkana, TX on Tuesday, May 11, at 1:00 pm
If desired, memorials may be made to the Pet Place of Marshall, TX, the East Texas Alzheimer's Association, or to a charity of your choice.
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