James '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.”
[This message has been edited by cbr (edited 2/9/2012 1:07p).]
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.”
[This message has been edited by cbr (edited 2/9/2012 1:07p).]
