29 Facts About Harding Lawrence

Harding Luther Lawrence was executive vice president of Continental Airlines and then president and chairman of Braniff International Airways, a Dallas, Texas-based carrier.

Harding Lawrence was born in Oklahoma and grew up in Gladewater, Texas.

Harding Lawrence's father, Moncey Luther Lawrence was a school teacher and a Christian church minister in Perkins, Oklahoma and Gladewater.

Harding Lawrence was very close to both of his parents and looked after them throughout their lives.

Harding Lawrence attended Gladewater High School, graduating two years early, but with a less-than-stellar academic record.

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Harding Lawrence then attended Kilgore Junior College, where his grades earned him membership in an academic honors group.

Harding Lawrence was hired in 1940 by Dallas Aviation School, where he became Director of Flying.

Harding Lawrence attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1942.

Harding Lawrence served in the US Army Air Forces for two years during World War II, training with the RAAF in Dallas, Texas, and Toronto, Canada, and with LAAF at Sheppard Field and Bryan, Texas.

Harding Lawrence served in Toronto and at the LAAF Base Unit in Lemoore, California.

Harding Lawrence married Jimmie George Bland of Greenville, Texas, in 1942.

Harding Lawrence's abilities were quickly noticed, and he was promoted to supervise the school's maintenance department.

Harding Lawrence remained with the school until 1944, and then spent two years on active duty with the US Air Force.

Harding Lawrence attended school at night while working at Pioneer during the day.

Harding Lawrence was elevated to Executive Vice President in 1958 remaining in this position until 1965, when he became President of Braniff International.

In early 1965, Harding Lawrence was seen throughout the Braniff International operation at Dallas Love Field.

Harding Lawrence had pen and paper in hand and appeared to be watching the bustling Braniff schedule with a keen intensity and specific interest, writing down everything that he saw.

Harding Lawrence engineered a remarkable airline overhaul during his 16 years with Braniff International Airways.

When Harding Lawrence took office in May, 1965, Braniff operated thirteen different aircraft types.

Harding Lawrence increased daily utilization of its aircraft which increased revenue without adding more aircraft to the fleet.

Harding Lawrence was bold with his management of Braniff even attempting to take over the much larger Pan American World Airways, Inc in the early 1970s, which would have served the dual purpose of making Braniff a worldwide air carrier and giving Pan Am access to a United States domestic feeder system.

In retirement Lawrence consulted for Pan Am at the request of his former associate C Edward Acker in the early 1980s.

Mary Wells Harding Lawrence sold her advertising firm Wells Rich Greene in 1990.

The Harding Lawrence's enjoyed retirement throughout the 1990s and bought and sold real estate as a side line.

Harding Lawrence was accompanied to the Festival by his wife Mary Wells Harding Lawrence, Mrs Henry Ford II, Ed and Sandy Acker, Jere Cox, and over 40 other family members and Braniff associates.

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Harding Lawrence was honored with a video history of his career followed by the induction.

Harding Lawrence gave a thirty-minute speech about the state of the airline industry using no notes or aids.

Harding Lawrence was preceded in death by his son Harding L Lawrence, Jr, in 1945, and his parents.

Harding Lawrence was survived by his son James B Lawrence of Greenville, Texas, his ex-wife, Jimmie George Bland Lawrence, his wife Mary Wells Lawrence, a son State R Lawrence of Greenwich, Connecticut, and three daughters Deborah M Lawrence of New York City, Kathy Bryan of Red Bank, New Jersey and Pamela Lombard of Geneva, Switzerland.