https://texags.com/forums/5/topics/2039347/1James 'Babe' Hallmark '47. Babe grew up in Kilgore during the depression. Enrolled early at A&M as war broke out to become an officer. Star track, hoops and football player for Homer Norton. His jersey bore the number 12.
In the 1944 Orange Bowl, the quarterback for A&M was none other than James "Babe" Hallmark, who was an All-Southwest Conference quarterback and All-American as a sophomore in the 1943 season, helped the Aggies beat LSU 28-13. The teams had a rematch not quite three months later, and, in spite of two touchdowns (and two extra points) by Hallmark, Texas A&M lost, 19-14. Hallmark led the southwest conference in passing and total yards, was third in the nation in passing that season, and followed his college career with a two-year stint in the Army, partially in World War II. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in 1946, but hurt his knee the first season. He went on to coach at Tyler Junior College.
He married the beautiful Nelleva Denton, captain of the world famous Kilgore Rangerettes, in 1945.
Was TJC assistant football coach, 1950 to 1963.
Served as head coach from 1963 until 1969.
Had an overall coaching record of 148 wins and 60 losses with eight teams in bowl games. He is a member of TJC's Circle of Honor with his long time friend Floyd Wagstaff.
Retired from coaching and founded Hibbs-Hallmark Insurance Company in Tyler Texas, a successful business to this day.
I knew Babe and Nelleva (known as "Deet" or "Captain" depending on when she blessed your life) as proud members of the greatest generation.
For his last A&M game, I literally busted him out of his memory care unit, and we drove to meet his '43 Kiddie Corps reunion boys. The Aggies won that day. He was sharp as a tack and he had a great time. I caught all kinds of hell for that later but it was worth it.
I asked him once when his favorite time in life was, and even though he was struggling with health, and the evils of Alzheimers in both he and his lovely wife, even though he lived dirt poor in the depression and saw the face of war, he answered "I've enjoyed every day of my life."
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I dont know why the pics arent loading, i will try to repost;
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Thank you all for the well wishes, and stories. The man left huge shoes to fill, and no doubt about it.
I don't want to go overboard on everyone, but I did find a few things that might be of interest in reminiscing this weekend. Some things I never knew about.
For instance, towards the end of the war, the Armed Services started a Service Championship Football League.
My grandfather was recruited from the Army Air Corp to play QB for the 'Skymasters.'
They eventually won the Services Challenge, but of interest were some clippings showing that they were playing a mixed schedule of D1 college teams and other services teams.
In 1945 the skymasters whipped up on the University of Texas, SMU, Rice, and the Texas Aggies by a combined score of 210 - 6, with ut being the only team to score on them....
I am guessing those were some pretty bad dudes, as that team was put together by none other than this guy:
I also never even knew that TJC won a national championship during my grandfather's years...
I found copies of my grandfather's original NFL offer letters, from the Giants, Bears and Redskins. I noticed that the Bears offer letter was signed by George Halas.
Finally, I leave you with a picture of the 9th grade PE class from my grandmother's Kilgore HS 1942 yearbook, which shows a little bit of how life has changed.
RIP