Neal A. Hawthorn Jr.

CARTHAGE — Neal Adolphus Hawthorn Jr. passed away Friday morning, Octo­ber 19, 2012, at his home in Longview, Texas. He was born August 29, 1932, in Carthage, Texas, to Neal Adolphus and Alice Louise Florey Hawthorn. He graduated from Carthage High School in 1950 and the University of Texas at Austin in 1954. On August 15, 1953, he married Gloria Jean Haggard of Carthage and celebrated 59 years of marriage this year.
Neal served his country in the U.S. Air Force as a navigator from 1954-57, at which time he and Gloria returned to Austin and the University of Texas to enter law school. He earned a doctorate of jurisprudence in 1960 and moved to Longview when he became an assistant district attorney.
In 1963, he joined the firm of Kenley Boyland, staying with the firm as it expanded to Kenley, Boyland, Hawthorn, Starr and Coghlan. In 1978, Neal joined R. Lacy Inc., where he served as vice president and general counsel until his retirement in 2007. Neal also served many years as a director of Texas Bank & Trust in Longview, was a former vice president of Hawthorn Life Insurance Co. and a former director of First National Bank of Carthage.
Neal loved his community and spent much of his time as a volunteer for various causes. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Longview, serving on its board, as well as a Sunday school teacher for the Henry Foster class and the men's class, a job he found truly gratifying.
Other organizations he supported were Good Shepherd Medical Center, serving as president of the board; as well as chairman of the advisory board for the Salvation Army; director of the Greater Longview United Way; director of the Longview YMCA; the planning and zoning board for the city of Longview; and the Longview Rotary Club.
He enjoyed spending time in Panola County and participated in local events such as oil and gas promotions, the Panola County Junior Livestock Show and fishing at Dixie Lake. In 2004, Neal was recognized by the Carthage Education Foundation as a distinguished alumni, an honor of which he was quite proud. He was also a founding member of the Thursday Lunch Bunch, a group of close friends who discussed politics, business, current events and, of course, fishing.
Neal was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Gloria Haggard Hawthorn.
He is survived by twin daughters, Beth Hawthorn of Longview and Barbara Hawthorn of Houston.
The family will receive friends for a visitation from 2-4 p.m. today, October 21, 2012, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home in Carthage. Interment will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Carthage. A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Monday, October 22, 2012, at First United Methodist Church of Longview, with Dr. Roy James officiating.
The family wishes to thank the many people who have supported them during his illness, his loving caregivers and The Hospice of East Texas, specifically Robyn Robinson, Lacreasa Murphy, Jackie Clewis, Teresa Bainter and Jacqui King.
Memorial donations may be made to First United Methodist Church, 400 N. Fredonia, Longview, TX 75601; or Hospice of East Texas, 911 East Loop 281, Longview, TX 75605.
A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com