Palestine High School Alumni Association

Joseph Gerhardt Laumen Jr

04 / 07 / 1922  –  07 / 05 / 2005

“In his school days he played many parts.”

Joseph Gerhardt Laumen Jr. was born on April 7, 1922 in Palestine, Texas to parents, Laura Cutter and Joseph G. Laumen, Sr.; Joe died July 5, 2005.

Mr. Laumen began piano lessons with Miss Louise Stevens prior to entering public school. As a 10-year-old student of Miss Stevens, he was presented in a recital at Palestine High School Auditorium, featuring Mozart’s Sonata No. 1, Beethoven’s Rondo A Capriccio Op. 129 as well as works of Grieg, Schumann and Haydn. Later he shared his technique and talents as a music teacher to 22 students in their recitals in 1949 and 1950. Mr. Laumen’s musical ability was shared with community service clubs and school groups for many years.

He continued these musical studies until graduation from Palestine High School in 1940 when he entered S.M.U. and studied piano with Dean Paul Van Katwijk. He graduated from S.M.U. with a B.A. degree and a Master of Education degree from Sam Houston State University. His college attendance was interrupted when as a member of the enlisted reserve he reported for duty. He received an honorable discharge from Camp Joseph T. Robinson in Little Rock, Ark.

Joe Laumen began his teaching career at Woodhouse High School in Anderson County. He retired from Palestine I.S.D. after decades of teaching, principal, and diagnostician service.  Joe was later executive vice-president of the family-owned Palestine Coca-Cola Bottling Company. He served as a member of Phi Beta Gamma; honorary comparative literature fraternity, the Civic Theatre Club; Palestine Civic Music Association; Vestry member of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church; and member of The Orchid Society of Tyler.

Joe was married to Nancy V. Simpson Laumen. The life-long resident was survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Martha Jeanne Laumen Surles and Clint C. Surles; nephew and wife, Christopher Clinton Surles and Lea Good Surles; and niece and husband, Susan Surles and Randle Franklin Osborne; great-nephew, great-niece, along with a community of friends.

A memorial service is pending at a later date and any memorials may be made to your favorite charity in Joe’s name.

Source: Palestine Herald-Press 07-07-2005