Lawrence Hamlar: Difference between revisions

Lawrence Harrison Hamlar, also known as L.H. Hamlar or Larry Hamlar (November 27, 1921 - December 31, 2003) was a prominent African-American business and civic leader, and philanthropist in Roanoke, Virginia. Hamlar was the first African-American person to serve on the Roanoke City School as a member and as school board president. he was a founder of the Pine Valley Golf Association for African American individuals during Jim Crow segregation in October 1959. Hamlar is a member of the Pine Valley Golf Association Hall of Fame. He was also the first African-American member accepted to Roanoke's elite Shenandoah Club.

Early Life, Family

Hamlar was the fifth of nine children born to the late Robert and Maude Hamlar in Goode, VA. The family established permanent residency in Roanoke, VA in 1922.

Hamlar was also the brother of the late Dr. David “Duck” Duffield Hamlar, Sr., University of Toledo Hall of Fame two-way back in 1946 and 1947. . A WWII veteran and letterman in football, basketball and track in 1946, David Hamlar was awarded the Fred Stalcup MVP award in 1947, named All-Ohio in 1946, and averaged over 50 minutes of football playing time per game on offense and defense. . Drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 1948 and 1949, David Hamlar chose instead to pursue a dentistry degree at Howard University. . A practicing dental surgeon in Columbus for 52 years, David Hamlar was a past president of the Toledo, Ohio Board of Education. Hamlar was also a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Sigma Pi Phi Boule.

Hamlar was also the brother of Natalie Lorraine Hamlar Mason (March 26, 1927 -July 4, 1999), considered one of the 'Mothers of Civil Rights' in Mississippi. Hamlar-Mason was the 1st wife of Dr. Gilbert R. Mason Sr. (October 7, 1928 – July 8, 2006), a prominent physician and civil rights leader in Biloxi, Mississippi who organized three “wade-ins” from May 1959 to 1963, to desegregate Biloxi, Mississippi’s public beaches, which had been created with funds from the federal government. Their heroic actions led to more wade-ins on “white-only” beaches, setting off the bloodiest race riot in the Mississippi's history and leading to the U.S. Department of Justice Department to begin the first-ever federal court challenge of Mississippi segregationist laws.

Hamlar was also the uncle of Brigadier General Dr. David D. Hamlar Jr., the current Assistant Adjutant General - Air, Minnesota National Guard. Management Office.

Hamlar met fellow Roanoker, Constance Elaine Johnson (1922 - 1981), the daughter of a prominent real estate company owner. They married in 1963. Neither Hamlar or Constance had any children. Constance taught English at Bennett College in Greensboro, NC and at Virginia Western Community College for 11 years.

Education

Hamlar attended Roanoke public schools, graduating from Lucy Addison High School in 1939. He matriculated to Virginia State College (now Virginia State University, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in physical education and a minor in business. Lettering in football, Hamlar was a member of the Virginia State University Football Hall of Fame.

Hamlar apprenticed at Citizens Undertaking in Roanoke. He became a certified licensed mortician after completing the Gupton-Jones School of Mortuary Science degree in Atlanta, Georgia.In 1952, Hamlar established the Hamlar and Curtis Funeral Home with his co-partners Cecil and Marilyn Curtis.

In May 1999, Hamlar received a Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Roanoke College. He also received a Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Virginia Seminary in Richmond. He was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and a member of the Beta Phi Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity.

Business and Civic Leadership

Hamlar's contributions to his native Roanoke Valley spanned many fields, including business, athletics, education and politics. An outspoken advocate of higher education, Hamlar served on the board of Virginia Western Community College for 8 years and as its board’s president for 2 years. Hamlar established the Constance J. Hamlar Memorial English Major Scholarship for minority students at Virginia Western Community College. He established this endowment to honor his late wife Constance who taught English at the community college for 11 years. In 1994, this endowment exceed $250,000. In 1983, Hamlar established another memorial scholarship in his late wife’s name at Roanoke College.

In the 1960s, Hamlar led a biracial committee of twelve white and black Roanoke business leaders to peacefully desegregate Roanoke. Most notably, Hamlar worked with city leaders to quell civil disturbance after the 1968 assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Total Action Against Poverty named Hamlar Humanittarian of the Year in 1993.

Hamlar was a co-founder of Valley Bank in Roanoke, Virginia. He was also the Chairman of Explorer Park during its formation. He was also a member of Destination Education and helped established the Roanoke Higher Education Center in May 2001.

Hamlar also served as campaign manager for the election of Roanoke Mayor Noel C. Taylor. Hamlar was awarded the Noel C. Taylor Distinguished Humanitarian Award in 1993 and the City of Roanoke Citizen of the Year in 2001.

Hamlar served on numerous board including the Roanoke Ballet, Roanoke College as a trustee and 15-year board member, Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Roanoke Symphony Society, and the Roanoke Science Museum.

Appearances in Jet Magazines

Prior to his marriage to Constance, Gerri Major’s Society column in Jet Magazine listed Hamlar as Black Roanoke’s Top Bachelor.

Death

Hamlar passed away on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2003 at Roanoke Memorial Hospital after a lengthy illness.