Lanier Hudgins Forgason

July 1, 2016

In the BRC family tree, one of the most important men in our ranching heritage is our “Papa,” – Lanier Hudgins Forgason. While he isn’t known as a famous cattle breeder, he was a remarkable human, and Christian leader of our family and the Church of Christ.

In our family tree, Lanier is Rachel’s great grandpa, and would be Mollie and Annie’s great great grandpa.

Rachel Northington Hudgins –> J.D. Hudgins –> Ethel Hudgins Forgason –> Lanier Hudgins Forgason –> Mollie Forgason Williams –> Jim Williams –> Rachel Williams Cutrer –>> Mollie Cutrer and Annie Cutrer


Lanier wasn’t a rancher. Though his mother Ethel was a fierce woman in agriculture, Lanier really didn’t pick up her or her brother Walter’s passion for animal breeding and animal husbandry. But, Lanier was good at helping others, and good at managing things. His responsibilities at JD Hudgins included taking care of facilities, building things, and keeping things in working order. He helped construct even the present day “feedlot” at JD Hudgins, and his famous concrete cornerposts can still be seen across many of the ranching operations there.

But most importantly, he was a Christian man of love and integrity and kindness. He put his family first, and put others first, and put himself last. A graduate of Abilene Christian University, he loved helping others.

This article was published in the Wharton Journal Spectator on June 1, 2005, written by “Doc” Barfield of Wharton. It describes my Papa’s legacy:

Lanier’s lessons were lasting, so was the friendship he inspired.

Letter to the editor:

I read a quote today from Warren Buffet: “someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”

I immediately thought of Lanier Forgason. He came to my house many years ago with a small pecan sprout and a shovel. He planted the tree in my backyard. It must be 30 feet tall now, a beautiful tree, which I sometimes sit under and day dream.

Lanier was a special friend. I sure miss him. One day he came by to get me for something. I was cleaning rust off my corner posts and gates I had copied from him.

I told him I had to repaint them every two years. He went to his car and came back with a bottle of ospho and a spray bottle. He informed me all I needed to do was remove the loose rust, spray with ospho, and wait 24 hours. The paint should last four years he said. It lasted six years.

He often came by and got me to go with him to carry a load of junk to the landfill. While there he would see a kid’s wagon or tricycle with some good wheels and ask me to get it for him. He was thinking about some kid that might need his toy fixed.

Or, we picked up scrap lumber. Some poor person might need the wood to keep warm. Many times we took home more than we carried there.

Sometimes he would drive by and ask “Barfield, do you have a few minutes? Get in and go with me. I need some advice.”

Of course we went to the church he loved dearly. Inside he might show me a switch that would not work, a breaker that would kick out, or an electric outlet that was worn and dangerous “to our little kiddies” or “our sweet ladybugs.” And he just happened to have the needed materials and tools in the trunk of his car.

Lanier was loved by many of his friends, especially me.
-Merrell “Doc” Barfield


For me personally, Papa died when I was just a young child, but I still vividly remember him. I loved visiting he and Nanny’s house, including their lake. But, Lanier Forgason has continued to bless me, for my entire life. That’s how goodness works. You plant a seed, and it grows into a tree that provides shade for people for centuries.

In 2018, Brandon and I purchased a piece of land, which is now our headquarters for BRC. We call it “The Kriegel.” Turns out, Lanier helped me get that property. The property was owned by a woman in California. When we put in our offer for the property, she googled my name. She came across my website, and saw I was the great-granddaughter of Lanier Forgason. Lanier had helped her when she previously lived in Wharton 60 years ago. She said it was fate that I would be the next owner of her property. She accepted our offer with just a small counter offer. Papa helped me make that deal.


Even today, there are still people in town who knew my grandpa when they were younger. One of these is the plumber in town, Mr. A.J. Rath. Though he is probably the most experienced plumber in town, and has a full staff, anytime we need plumbing work, he comes personally. Just in 2020, he setup the plumbing in our new show barn. When we were walking out to the barn, he put his arm around me and said, ‘You know, you’re a special girl. Lanier would be very proud of you,” and gave me a hug.


There’s a story that always sticks in my head about my grandpa, and service. He was very involved in volunteering at the Wharton County Fair. There is a story that he was interviewing a new employee for the fair, and when the employee showed up for the interview, he went looking around the grounds for Lanier. He found him in the mens restroom, on his hands and knees, scrubbing the facilities. He took pride in all of his grounds and facilities, and never thought he was too good for anything. The job candidate thought he was the janitor, and he said, “Hi, I’m looking for Lanier Forgason, I’m here for a job interview,” and Papa stood up and said, “Oh hi, that’s me.”


That humble attitude is one that we treasure. We believe in working hard, and that we are servants to others, not better than anyone else.

Lanier was a beloved Christian, and served the Abell Street Church of Christ for many years as an elder. He was most proud of his family, especially his three children, James Forgason, Mollie Forgason Williams, and Richard Forgason. He was very proud of the fact that his two sons received degrees from Texas A&M and DVMs, and very proud of his daughter Mollie for her success in the rodeo and cattle business. He dedicated his life to his family and to serving others.

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