Hollis Lawrence Jr.

GLADEWATER -- Hollis Lawrence Jr. passed from this earth on November 11, 2005, to the celebration of his life. He was born October 24, 1930, in Panola County, to Hollis L. Lawrence Sr. and Cordelia Gilespe Lawrence of Carthage. He graduated from Carthage High School in 1948, and played football for the Carthage Bulldogs. Mr. Lawrence entered the U.S. Air Force in the medical field. He attended college at Southern Methodist University, where he met and married Ruth Neundorfer of Groesbeck, Texas, on August 12, 1951, in Limestone County. While in the service, Hollis served in North Africa, French Morocco for one year. Upon returning to the U.S., he left the U.S. Air Force and entered the University of Texas School of Pharmacy, graduating in 1958. Mr. Lawrence was a Kappa Sig SMU, as well as belonging to the pharmacy fraternity. He belonged to the Masonic Lodge Lions Club and Scout Master of Pack Pollard in Tyler. Mr. Lawrence owned the Ritz Pharmacy in Gladewater and later worked for Skillerns, Revco, Wal-Mart, and Neil Simpson's. The joys of his life were his sons, Hollis Dee, Michael Lloyd, and Edward Joseph; and daughter-in-laws, Mary Lou Gibson, Michelle C. Dosman, and Jennifer A. Davis. The second joys of his life were his grandchildren, Jeremy Dee and wife, Holly, along with great-granddaughter, Emma, Clay Edward, Jonathon Chance, Callye Renee, Christopher Michael, and Cody Scott. Mr. Lawrence also enjoyed fishing, hunting, stamp collecting, and genealogy. He was of the first family of Virginia and a Son of the American Revolution. There were many hobbies that Hollis enjoyed. Some of those hobbies were being named of the Williams Baron SAR Chapter of the Tyler Color Guard. He was the past secretary/treasurer of the East Texas Chapter 57 SAR of Longview. The research of his family proved a direct relation to signers of the Declaration of Independence through the Wortham lineage. He and Ruth, his wife, shared 54 wonderful years of marriage. Their marriage was one of joy, love, and honor. God bless this husband, father, and grandfather. For he is home now. Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, November 13, 2005, at Falkenberry Cemetery in Groesbeck, Texas, with the Reverend Robert Herzig officiating. If so desired, memorials may be made to Greggton United Methodist Church; or Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Boulevard, Tyler, Texas. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. this evening, November 12, 2005, at Croley Funeral Home in Gladewater.