R. L. Falkner circa 1970, object ID #men143
Robert Lee Falkner was born on November 10, 1911, in Garden Valley, Smith County, Texas, to Eugene L. Falkner and Eunice Jackson Neill. He attended Tyler Public Schools and spent most of his life in Tyler. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and worked as an award-winning photographer for the Tyler Courier-Times-Telegraph for four years. For 45 years, he owned R. L. Falkner Photography Shop in Tyler. Mr. Falkner served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II from 1942 to 1945, where he was discharged as a sergeant in the 8th Air Corps.
In the 1940 Worley’s Tyler (Smith County, Texas) City Directory, Mr. Falkner was listed as a photographer employed by Edwards Photo Finishing Plant. He and his wife, Lorene, resided at 824-1/2 Harris Ave., Tyler, Texas. The Edwards Photo Finishing Plant was located at 204 North Spring Ave., Tyler, Texas.
In 1941, he joined T. B. Butler Publishing Co. as a news and advertising photographer. After returning from military service in World War II, he continued his work at the publishing company until October 1951, when he opened his own studio at 307 South Broadway. He later built a new studio at 325 South Bois d’Arc. Mr. Falkner retired after 45 years in business and eventually sold the studio and its operations to Donald and Joy Connery. However, after unsuccessful attempts to promote and maintain the business, the Connerys sold it to Freddie Black.
Due to health reasons, Mr. Black sold the collection and building. In 2003, the Smith County Historical Society acquired the negatives, proofs, prints, and all rights to R. L. Falkner’s work with funds from the Jack T. Greer Memorial Trust Fund.
Robert Lee Falkner passed away on October 21, 1992, in a Tyler nursing home and was buried at Tyler Memorial Park under the direction of Burks-Walker-Tippit Funeral Home. He was survived by his wife, Lorene Kent Falkner, of Tyler; a son, Jerry Kent, of Crested Butte, Colorado; a daughter, Peggie Falkner, of Coppell; and a brother, Ralph Falkner, of Dallas.
The Smith County Historical Society is excited to present the first part of an index to the Falkner Collection.
[i] Tyler Courier Times, Friday, October 23, 1992, Obituary R.L. Falkner
Debbie T. Hilliard
Thanks for this great article on R. L. Falkner. He is a cousin but I really didn’t know much about him, except that he was a photographer. I remember my mother talking about him. My mother was closer to his brother, Ralph Gene, and I have pictures of her with him in Van. Robert Lee Falkner’s maternal grandparents (Caleb E. Neill and Mary A. Tunnell)are my maternal great-great-grandparents. His paternal grandmother (Ida Rosella Elliott) is my maternal great grandmother – her second husband Robert Levi Wells is my great grandfather. I have a great photo of his father Eugene Lee Falkner with his mother, Ida Rosella and three of his half-sisters. It is great to have this bio on Robert Lee for my genealogy files.
You came into the SCHS archives while I was researching there on the morning of Feb. 8th – wish I had known about this at the time but my mind was on my husband’s ancestors the Jefferies and Goodmans.
Thanks again, Debbie Trevathan Hilliard
Scott Fitzgerald
Thank you, Debbie. I plan to expand this post as I find more as I have time. Anything you have to add to this or any other article we post will be welcome. Thanks, Scott (and Tiffany who finally got me to post and found the great picture of Mr. Falkner.)
Tony Bryant
He was a great Photographer ! I admire His great work!
I know of him growing up as He took photos for Borden Milk Company in Tyler and my Dad Was Plant Superentindant and I have some of Mr. Falkner’s photos