FRANK LaRUE JR. - Farmers Branch history buff
Dallas Morning News, The (TX) - Friday, December 27, 2002
Author: RAE DeSHONG, Staff Writer

Services for Frank LaRue Jr., who helped establish the Farmers Branch Mustang Trail, will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home in Athens, Texas.

Mr. LaRue, 69, died Monday of pancreatic cancer at his home in Athens. He will be buried in Athens City Cemetery.

The police officer, who lived in Farmers Branch about 12 years, was a member of the Farmers Branch Landmark Preservation Committee and Peters Colony Historical Society.

"He was very active back in the 1970s establishing historical markers throughout Farmers Branch ," said Derrick Birdsall, the city's historical park superintendent. "In fact, I was going through files last week, and his stack [of correspondence] was about 6 inches."

The 9.3-mile Mustang Trail is a circular route through Farmers Branch that passes 22 historic points beginning and ending at the city's historic park. Mr. LaRue designed the patch that is given to people who complete the trail, said his son Scott LaRue of Denver.

"When he died, it was like the library burning down," his son said. "I can't believe how much stuff he got done in the years he had."

Mr. LaRue also donated Indian artifacts to the National Scouting Museum in Irving, and he talked about his finds on recent visits to the park.

"He and a buddy went out and discovered an archaeological site right when the interchange was going up at [Interstates] 635 and 35," Mr. Birdsall said. "He basically found American Indian campsite remains and artifacts.

"He and his buddy would be picking stuff up, dodging construction equipment. Now, all work halts, but it didn't then."

The history buff made a living in law enforcement, serving for more than 14 years as a police officer in Texas, working in youth services in Colorado and Texas, and finally directing juvenile services for Henderson County.

He also worked for historical preservation in that area, which is where his family roots lie, his son said. He was a founder of the Henderson County Historical Society Museum in Athens and a member of the Henderson County Historical Commission.

Mr. LaRue was a member of many more organizations, including the Farmers Branch Lions Club, Texas Juvenile Detention Association, Texas Police Association, Henderson County Peace Officers Association, Athens Rotary and Lions clubs, and the East Texas Chamber of Commerce.

Survivors include another son, Michael LaRue of Philadelphia; daughter, Julia LaRue of Denton; his mother, Dorothy LaRue of Athens; and three grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the Wofford House, in care of the East Texas Arboretum, P.O. Box 2231, Athens, TX 75751-2231.

Dallas Morning News - Friday December 27, 2002
Submitted by Edward Lynn Williams

LARUE, FRANK EVERETT, JR., 69, Athens, nationally known Historian, died Dec. 23 at his Athens residence.

Served the Citizens of Lubbock, Tyler & Farmers Branch as a Police Officer. Served six years as member of Dallas County Historical Commission and recognized by Farmers Branch as the unofficial City Historian for his work in local historical preservation.

Services 10:30 A.M. Friday Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home Chapel, Athens. Interment Athens Cemetery.

CARROLL-LEHR FUNERAL HOME ATHENS 903-675-2211

Published in Dallas Morning News on Dec. 26, 2002

Athens Cemetery, Athens, Henderson County, Texas