Alan Charles Law

Alan Charles Law was born on August 28, 1930 in Kent, Stephenson Co., Illinois to Andrew "Dewitt" Law and Dorothy Mae Noll Law. During his youth the family moved to various farms in Jo Daviess County. Young Alan contracted Polio and was kept in isolation in the white frame farmhouse in Kent, with his mother and grandmother while his father Dewitt, brother Alfred and nephew Normie were relegated to sleep in the barn. Each time they passed the window the boys would shake their fist at him. He attended the K-12 school in Mount Carroll earning his High School diploma in 1948 (later his son, daughter and brother in law (Benjamin Gonzalez) would attend there as well). During high school he broke his nose while playing football, which ended his football career but not his love of the game. He lettered in both softball and track. He came in 4th running the mile in a regional track meet. During high school he worked in a corn canning factory in Lanark, Illinois to which he attributed his life-long unwillingness to eat corn ever again. He also worked with the Dairy Herd Improvement Association for 2 years keeping milk production records. Alan was a hard worker and took great pride in doing a job well. He enjoyed relating the story of how his brother Alfred threatened to beat him up if he kept doing chores on the farm because Alfred wanted to take a break and Alan wanted to keep working. After high school graduation, Alan followed his brother's example and enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean war, serving from 1950 to 1954, where he attained the rank of staff sergeant. One October evening in 1952, while in training at Kelly Air Force base in San Antonio, Texas, Alan decided to indulge in one of his favorite pastimes: roller skating. It was there he met the love of his life, Blanca Elena Gonzalez! They enjoyed a sweet but short courtship that culminated in a proposal along the San Antonio Riverwalk. To maintain propriety, they first had a civil marriage in San Antonio on Dec 16, 1952, enabling their unaccompanied journey to Mexico for a “proper” church wedding on Dec. 23, 1952, which was the anniversary they celebrated together 57 times. Within weeks, Alan was deployed to Chateauroux, France, 150 miles south of Paris and Blanca soon followed. They loved the time they shared in France and brought back many treasures from their stay. Upon discharge from the Air Force they returned to the Law family farm in Mt. Carroll, Illinois to farm what Alan referred to as "a pile of rocks". Forever the hard worker, Alan farmed, raised dairy cattle, worked as a cattle breeder for Nibco. This was also the time Alan and Blanca began their family, first welcoming Larry in Savannah, Illinois. Blanca chose to have their second child “back home” and spent the final 4 months of her pregnancy in Mexico City where Olivia was born, then came Beatrice who was born in the same Savannah, Illinois hospital room as her brother Larry! Alan was not interested in farming as a career, so in 1962 he moved the family to Champaign, Illinois to attend the University of Illinois on a GI bill. He wanted to study Psychology but the challenges of supporting his young family as a member of the grounds crew at the university during the day and as a Ramada Inn clerk at night, resulted in him failing his classes.. He did not let that deter him however, continuing his studies at Danville Junior college and later transferring to Wesleyan University in Bloomington/Normal, Illinois. He provided a stable home life in Champaign for his family, while commuting the many miles to college. He worked nights on the sanitation crew for Kraft in Champaign and at the Holiday Inn. He graduated in 1968 with a Bachelors in Business and hired on with the FDIC as a bank examiner. He enjoyed the 14 year association with his co-workers at the FDIC holding themed parties for them in his home and frequently boasting how he often beat the younger employees at tennis. In 1982 he accepted a job transfer to Texas with the FDIC. He and Blanca sold the family home in Champaign and moved to a townhouse in Farmers Branch, Texas. A few years later, he lost his job with the FDIC. True to his work ethic, while searching for new employment, Alan worked managing a McDonalds until he secured a position as a Vice President at Republic bank in Garland, Texas. One of Alan's desires was to provide Blanca with better access to her family in Mexico. So in 1986 they accepted a job with a bank in McAllen, Texas and moved to “the Valley”. A few years later, Alan retired from banking and fulfilled one of his desires to drive a school bus! This he did for a short time, as the school district encouraged him to obtain a teaching certificate. This launched a 17-year career teaching high school level economics and history at the PSJA school district. He felt especially called to teach in the “less advantaged” schools. He had a great rapport with the students and they loved him! They were part of the McAllen community for 23 years. After the death of his beloved spouse "Blanquita" in 2009, his daughters convinced Alan to move to the Fort Worth area. There he enjoyed reading, walking and visiting with family. He loved watching the Dallas Cowboys and reruns of Cheers, Frasier and Andy Griffith. After a few health issues he moved from his apartment into the Vantage Senior Living community and eventually Sunrise Senior Assisted Living and Memory Care. The family extends a special thanks to Bill Smelley for the dedication and love he showed Alan with frequent visits during those years, and also to all the tender loving caregivers in his life. Alan passed away, peacefully on the morning of July 5th, 2019. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, wife, one granddaughter and two great grandchildren. He is survived by his children (Larry (Angie) Law, Olivia (Bill) Cangelosi, and Beatrice Law), 9 grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren. Wade Family Funeral Home (817) 274-9233