Palestine High School Alumni Association

Norman Mollard 1942

08 / 03 / 1923  –  10 / 29 / 2007

Norman W. Mollard died at Cartmell Home October 29 from complications of a heart attack and stroke. Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at First Christian Church at 113 E. Crawford, Palestine. Interment will be at Palestine New Addition Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Herrington/Land of Memory Funeral Home with Dr. Jerry D. Elrod officiating.

He was born August 3, 1923, to Norman Mollard and Irene Gilmore Mollard in Palestine. His boyhood home was located on North Fowler Street.

His 27-year career as an Officer in the United States Navy took him far beyond Palestine. He retired as a Lieutenant Commander in 1969. He returned to Palestine in 1975, where he continued his second career in building contracting, real estate and property development. Prior to that he had lived in Houston, Corpus Christi NAS and many other Naval Air Stations.

In 1976, he began a lifelong historical project renovating and rehabilitating the Redlands Building, complete with shops and apartments, including a penthouse. His offices also were there. He was involved in numerous community efforts and was part of the original group who preserved the John H. Reagan School which became the Museum for East Texas Culture.

He served as president of the Board of the Museum for several terms. Along with Jean, his wife, he participated in the rebirth of Old Town, Palestine, converting many of the original Palestine structures for current day use. He was active in the Noon Lions Club, having served in many offices; he was a Mason; a member of Downtown Palestine Association; a member of Classic Cars of Palestine; a member of Mardi Gras Crew and former king; a member of the Silver Haired Legislature and numerous other organizations. He was inducted into the Commemorative Air Force Hall of Fame in Midland, Texas.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Jean Mollard; sister, Marie Brown and husband Ed; Robert Laughlin, brother in law. His children include Colleen Courtney, Rennee Carbajal and Norman Mollard III, all of Houston; Judy Dickens of California; Norma French of West Columbia, Texas; and Charlotte Wammel, also of California. He is also survived by his many grandchildren.

Pallbearers are William Carbajal, Lee Chaffin, Patrick Courtney, Jerry Hansen, Robert Laughlin, Roy Stark and Bill Tatum. Honorary pallbearers are Ed Brown, Alvin Coleman, Jim Hammond, Charles Leonard, Bob Miller and Leo Mizell.

Following the burial at New Addition Cemetery, a reception will be held at the Harvey Women’s Club.

Memorials may be made to the Museum for East Texas Culture, 400 Micheaux, Palestine, TX 75801 or Palestine Public Library Special Collections, 1101 N. Cedar St., Palestine, Tx 75801.

Condolence calls will be received from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Herrington/Land of Memory Funeral Home.
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Source: Palestine Herald-Press 10-31-2007