| Laurel Glynn Ellis Glynn was born to Otis and Adeline Ellis on August 25, 1931 in Edgewood, Texas. He was the baby of three sons born to the family. His brothers are Billy Dee (Born-1924), and James Ray (born 1926 died 1/25/1998). Laurel Glynn was named after his Uncle Laurel Gray who was married to his father’s sister, Zona Mae Ellis Gray. Glynn has many stories of his childhood. At the time of his birth his family lived in a three-room plank sharecropper’s farmhouse with no electricity, running water, or indoor toilet. His childhood was filled with poverty, although it seemed at the time that almost everyone was poor. But the most important aspect of his early childhood was that it was filled with love from his mother and father and two brothers. He had a happy childhood and in 1949 he graduated from Edgewood High School with a Spirit Award. In 1949-1950 he attended Henderson County Jr. College with a football scholarship. In 1951 to 1954 Glynn volunteered for the United States Marine Corps. He fought in three major battles, and was wounded in June of 1952. He received the Purple Heart, 4 Battle Stars, 5 Campaign ribbons and was discharged on January15, 1954. In 1956 he received a B.B.A. degree with a minor in Economics from East Texas State University. Glynn then took a job as a traveling shoe salesman with Weyenberg Shoe Manufacturing Company, his territory was: Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, for 14 years. On October 14,1956 Glynn married Myra June Horton. To this union were born four children, Greg, 1958, Cathy, 1960, Carol, 1962, and Kim in 1966. Glynn was an entrepreneur at heart founding or acquiring many businesses: Fairway Shoe Store, Fairway Security Store, Wills Point Investment Group, Pizza Inn/King, Ellis Glen Longhorn Registered Cattle Company. He was one of the founders of Citizen Nat’l Bank and served as Chairman of the Board of from 1981 to 1996, and a board member since 1981. He most recently developed Laurel Glen Estates in Wills Point, a fast growing housing development. Glynn has always had a strong Christian faith and has lived his life dedicated to helping others and teaching God’s way whenever he gets the opportunity. He has a kind heart and is full of spirit. Community Activity Wills Point Historical Society President -10 years plus 15 years service. Wills Point Chamber of Commerce served on Board of Directors and a member for 30 years. Wills Point City Council for 4 years. Wills Point ISD Trustee for 4 years. Wills Point Economic Development Committee for 6 years. Wills Point Church of Christ, teacher and served as Elder many years. Wills Point Rotary Club President twice and serviced in every office and board of directors. Perfect attendance 36 years. (since 1969) Board of Directors Rock hill Cemetery Association- 8 years. Board of Directors White Rose Cemetery- 10 years. Chairman of Van Zandt County American Cancer Society, 5 and 10 years service. Van Zandt County Appraisal District Review Board, 6 years service. Chairman of Van Zandt County Historical Commission, 6 years service, member since 1970’ s. Van Zandt County Library Special Representative for Wills Point. Edgewood Historical Society 12 years. Civic Accomplishments 1969- Fairway Shoe Store- owner 1974- Started his rental business in Wills Point. 1981- Citizens National Bank in Wills Point (one of the founders). 1982- Contributed monetarily toward the building of the Wills Point Community Center. 1983- Built Citizens Plaza Shopping Center. 1986- Fairway Security Store- owner 1995- Donated land to Pack 381 Boy Scouts of America in Wills Point 1998- Van Zandt Co. Chairman for the Sesquicentennial committee. 1998- Established Ellis Glen Longhorn Registered Cattle Co. 2000- Donated a dump truck to Wills Point ISD. 2001- Donated a registered longhorn bull to Wills Point ISD. 2004- Donated a Tractor to the Wills Point Chamber of Commerce 2004/5-Worked with VFW on the Veterans Park in Wills Point. 2005- Donated a Tractor to the Wills Point Antique Tractor Club. 2005-Developed Laurel Glen Housing Addition. Awards/Honors Received Glynn received Outstanding Performance Awards from the: American Cancer Society. Wills Point Rotary Club. Wills Point City Council. St. Judes Hospital. Wills Point ISD. Van Zandt County Historical Commission. Edgewood, TX Historical Association. Rotary District 583 Governors Award. Dale Carnegie 1985. Golden Oil Can Award, Wills Point Antique Tractor Club 2004. In addition he received the following honors: Purple Heart- United States of America for the Korean War. Many battle stars from the USMC. Award of Appreciation from the United States Marine Corps. 4/9/1995 Van Zandt County Outstanding Citizen of the Year 1984. Wills Point- Citizen of the Year 2006 Wills Point Rotary Club -Service Above Self Award 2006 Member Of… Lifetime member of First Marine Division Veterans Association. Lifetime member of Disabled Veterans Association. Lifetime member of American Legion. Lifetime member- Veterans of Foreign Wars. Wills Point Church of Christ. Wills Point Antique Tractor Club. Charter member. Wills Point Rotary Club- 36 years perfect attendance. Wills Point Historical Society. Van Zandt County Historical Commission. Marine Corps. Heritage Foundation. Personal Accomplishments Personal Accomplishments: Married for 50 years. 2006 Father of four happy (grown) children. Weight Lifting Survived a heart attack, bladder cancer, death of his parents and brother. Mother and Father-in-law: Bruce and Arlou Wilemon Four Children: Son and Daughter-in-law Greg and Stephanie Ellis, Daughters and Son-n-laws Mark and Cathy Turner, Lee and Carol Howell, Brad and Kimberly Cole, all of Wills Point. 12 Grand Children: Justin Platter, Blake Howell, Grant Turner, Jessica Cole, Leslie Ann Howell, Jenna Ellis, Katie Turner, Jonathan Cole, Jace Ellis, Jenny Cole, Brittany Howell and Ashley Willingham. |
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| Biography |
| Biography |