King Lawrence
King Lawrence is an advertising and editorial photographer and filmmaker born and raised in Texas and based in Phoenix, Arizona. King and his team of ninjas produce both still and motion content for brands, magazines and ad agencies specializing in industries such as sports/fitness, agriculture, healthcare and development.
What is your favorite Texarkana memory?
Some of my favorite memories are back when I was a kid growing up out in the Riverlands when there were only a few houses, running around the woods with my cousins and usually getting into some kind of trouble.
Where was your favorite place to eat in Texarkana? Any interesting story to tell about that place?
Well, [I’m] a little biased on this one, but Bryce’s of course. My grandfather started it in 1931 and it was a huge part of my life. I remember on Sundays it was quite the destination.
What was the teen hangout when you lived here? Any interesting story to tell about that place?
Gordon’s parking lot was a big hang out for us at the time. That thing used to get packed. Oh, the days before cell phones, everyone had to meet there first to know where everyone was going. I miss those days without cell phones.
Were you a Hawk, Leopard, Razorback or Tiger? Do you have a rivalry story to share?
I was a Hawk but finished my last two years of high school in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I remember my cousin Michael Kersey tried to copy Texas A&M’s bonfire before our rivalry game with Hooks. We all got together and built a 30-foot bonfire with half the high school and celebrated the night before the game. Coaches found out about it and were furious.
Who is someone from Texarkana who impacted your life and why?
My mother was, and still is, the biggest impact in my life. She was born and raised in Texarkana. She passed away a couple of years ago, but I still live my life being guided by the principles she taught me.
What is your nickname for Texarkana?
T-Town, for sure.
What do you miss about Texarkana?
Living now in a large city, I love and miss Texarkana for its small-town qualities.
What do you think makes Texarkana famous?
Lots of fun things make T-Town famous. Anything from movies, to music, to its unique location on the border. My personal favorite is one of George Strait’s exes, Rosanna, lives in Texarkana.
What words do you live by?
The words I live by were taught to me by my grandfather
Frank King, “put your head down and your ass up,” which meant get out there and get to work. He is 100% responsible for my work ethic.
TXK Roots is Texarkana Magazine’s forum to highlight and honor Texarkana natives who have accomplished big things in the world. These folks may have relocated, but they took the values, education, work ethic and creativity instilled in them by growing up in this unique border city and used these qualities to blaze extraordinary trails. We asked them to share their thoughts about growing up here. No matter how far from Texarkana they may find themselves, we will always consider them our neighbors and we are proud to claim them as forever members of our extended Texarkana community. After all, “everyone is famous in their hometown!”
