Neal Adolphus Hawthorn, Jr. passed away on Friday morning, Oct. 19, 2012, at his home in Longview, TX. He was born on Aug. 29, 1932, in Carthage, TX, 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 Aug. 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 1954-1957 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 Company 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 Y.M.C.A., 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. on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home in Carthage. Interment will be at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Carthage. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday at the 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 can be made to the 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.