Gerald Laux

Gerald Laux, 88, a lifelong resident of Morrilton, died Saturday, April 25, 2009, at Conway Regional Medical Center. He was born September 16, 1920, in Morrilton, to Anna Basler Laux and Steve Laux. Survivors are his wife of 65 years, Mary Crye Laux, son and daughter-in-law George and Nan Laux of Richmond, Va.; daughter and son-in-law Carolyn and Alan Eastham of Brazzaville, Congo; daughter and son-in-law Ann and David Turney of Conway; four grandsons, Greg Laux and his wife, Sunny, of Cincinnati, Ohio, Geoff Laux, his wife, Jessica, of Richmond, Va., Mark Eastham of Elon, North Carolina, and Michael Eastham of Harrisonburg, Va.; one great-granddaughter, Cecilia Laux, of Richmond, Va.; a sister, Mildred Adams of Austin, Texas; and three nieces and three nephews. He was predeceased by two sisters, Clara Loh of Morrilton, and Dorothy Montgomery of El Dorado, and one brother Herbert Laux of Morrilton. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and a graduate of Sacred Heart High School. He began his business career working in his father's grocery store and then entered banking following graduation. In 1948 he entered partnership in Blue Ribbon Shoes with his father-in-law George Crye. Under Laux's guidance the business grew to include eight stores throughout Arkansas. He retired and closed the original Blue Ribbon Shoe Store in downtown Morrilton in 2005, after 80 years of continuous business. He enjoyed travel throughout the U.S. and visited Asia, Africa, the British Isles, Mexico and Europe. Active in his community, he served many terms on the Morrilton City Council and, one term as mayor 1978-1982. He was a member of the Rialto Community Arts Center Board of Directors and board member emeritus of the Conway County Historical Preservation Association. During his years in this Association, he was active on the successful committee to save the Train Depot in downtown Morrilton. He also worked to keep the U.S. Post Office in downtown. For many years, he and Mary Laux have managed the Morrilton (Elmwood) Cemetery Improvement Association. Funeral mass will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 28, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Charles Thessing and Rev. Frank le Blanc officiating. Arrangements are by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton. The family will receive friends 6:00-7:00 p.m. Monday, April 27, at the funeral home. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic School Endowment and Trust, 406 E. Elm Street, Morrilton, AR 72110, or the Morrilton Cemetery Improvement Association, P.O. Box 561, Morrilton, AR 72110.

Gerald Laux

April 25, 1921 - April 25, 2009