Big Daddy Lawler Honored at Roland Cooper State Park

By DAVID RAINER, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Big in stature, Big in influence and Big in promoting his beloved Alabama Black Belt, the late James “Big Daddy” Lawler was honored and remembered Tuesday at Roland Cooper State Park on the banks of Millers Ferry Lake on the Alabama River.

Lawler, who died earlier this year after a short illness, was a champion of anything outdoors related, especially if it happened in the Black Belt.

Lawler successfully lobbied for a T-pier at Roland Cooper to accommodate larger fishing tournaments, and Alabama Governor Kay Ivey was among the dignitaries, family and friends to witness the ribbon-cutting, naming the T-pier in his honor.

“It is so good to be back home, and what better place to gather than our local treasure here at Roland Cooper State Park,” said Governor Ivey, who hails from Camden. “Folks, it’s no secret that Alabama is known for its beautiful outdoors. Alabamians, tourists far and wide, flock to the great outdoors in Sweet Home Alabama to enjoy the best natural vistas and wildlife experiences in the nation. From the green mountains of Cheaha State Park to the beautiful white sandy beaches of the Gulf State Park to the sparkling waters here at Roland Cooper and many others in between, our State Parks offer something for everybody. Getting outdoors is the best way to enjoy life and get closer to God.

“That’s especially true of my dear friend James ‘Big Daddy’ Lawler. He made promoting Alabama’s natural wonders his passion and his life. He knew our State Parks belonged to all Alabamians and that our State Parks should not be taken for granted.”

Governor Ivey pointed out that it takes teamwork to provide expanded access to State Parks through the work of the Alabama Legislature and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR).

“I’d especially like to thank (ADCNR) Commissioner Blankenship for all the work he does leading that agency,” the Governor said. “It also requires strong support from private entities like the Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association, the Alabama Wildlife Federation, the Alabama Bass Trail and the Lawler Lumber Company. Finally, it takes individuals with a love for Alabama’s beautiful outdoors with a willingness to lead on projects that allow our parks to better serve Alabamians for decades to come.

“As we stand here and admire the T-pier at Roland Cooper State Park, we understand that this project simply would not have happened without the leadership of James ‘Big Daddy’ Lawler. He was also instrumental in the Bridgeport Landing project just down the road from here.”

Governor Ivey highlighted that the Bridgeport Landing development has allowed Camden and Wilcox County to host large-scale fishing tournaments, including the Alabama Bass Trail, which generates much-needed tax revenue.

“Big Daddy was a true champion of conservation and improving outdoor recreation here in the Black Belt region,” the Governor said. “In other words, when people think of Big Daddy, they think hunting and fishing. In 2021, when I talked to him at the ribbon-cutting for this project, it was clear he wanted to make it easier for more Alabamians to come here and make lifelong memories. May this dedication today serve as a lasting reminder of how much he loved the Black Belt and how he gave back to this beautiful region. Let’s be clear, this pier and upgrades at Bridgeport Landing would not have been built without the effort, leadership and advocacy of Big Daddy Lawler. It’s a privilege to be here today and be back home. May God continue to bless each of you and the great State of Alabama.”

Commissioner Blankenship said his duties include traveling all over the state, meeting and interacting with citizens and visitors about Alabama’s natural resources and outdoor recreation.

“I talk to a lot of folks who love the outdoors and appreciate what God has blessed us with in Alabama,” Commissioner Blankenship said. “Nobody understood that more than Big Daddy Lawler. He knew what we are so blessed with in Alabama, especially in the Black Belt, and how that could be used as an economic driver for places like Camden, Wilcox County and all of the Black Belt to get people down here to hunt and fish and use those assets.”

Commissioner Blankenship said his first encounter with Lawler left him sleep-deprived before a momentous event in his career.

“The first time I met Big Daddy was the night before Governor Ivey swore me in as Commissioner. I came down to Roland Cooper State Park for the alligator hunt. We were down here until about 3 in the morning, watching them weigh in alligators. I finally told Big Daddy, ‘I’ve got to go back to Montgomery and get a couple of hours sleep before the Governor swears me in. I don’t want to fall asleep at my swearing in ceremony,’” he said.

“While we were down here for the hunt, Big Daddy said, ‘Walk with me, I want to show you something.’ We left the pavilion and walked down the hill to show me this bank down here. He said, ‘We host a lot of fishing tournaments here at the park, and they bring a lot of money into the community. But when we host these tournaments, they have to bring those $150,000 boats and run them up on the bank because we don’t have a pier. We don’t have a place for them to tie up to have a tournament weigh-in. And the folks coming up and down the Alabama River don’t have a place to moor overnight. We need something in this part of the state, and this would be a fine spot for it right here.’”

Commissioner Blankenship and Deputy Commissioner Ed Poolos got to work to make Big Daddy’s idea a reality. Poolos was able to find some funding with a Boating Infrastructure Grant funded through ADEM and matched with Alabama State Park funds. The pier was christened by Governor Ivey in the summer of 2021.

Camden City Councilman Jimmy Brock told the story about how James Lawler became Big Daddy. Lawler and some of his teen-aged friends were target shooting with pistols.

“They fired and fired and one of them handed a pistol to James Lawler and said, ‘Here, Big Daddy, take this thing and see what you can do with it,’” Brock said. “And he did a good job of shooting that pistol and that name stayed with him.

“I want to share two things about James Lawler that made him Big in my opinion. First was his Big personality. He could tell a good story. He could emcee an event, host a broadcast and shoot the breeze better than anyone I ever met. His ‘Gettin’ Outdoors’ and Facebook page introduced Wilcox County and the Alabama River to folks all over the world. His Big personality brought thousands of hunters and fishermen to our area. The second thing that made him Big was his love for God’s creation.”

Kay Donaldson, Director of the Alabama Bass Trail, said Lawler’s impact on the Black Belt and tournament fishing in the area will be felt for generations.

“I know you know what he meant to this community,” Donaldson said. “I can’t begin to tell you what he meant to me as a mentor and as a father figure, but I can tell you between (Alabama State Parks Director) Greg Lein, Chris Blankenship and the leadership of Governor Ivey’s office, the dreams came through for Big Daddy Lawler. The economic impact this has had on this community will never be forgotten. It will live on forever.”

Donaldson remembered the first big tournament held in Wilcox County and how an overjoyed Lawler judged its success.

“We sold Hardee’s out of sausage on a Wednesday,” she said. “That’s how Big Daddy talked about the economic impact. It wasn’t about hotel rooms or other revenue, it was ‘We sold Hardee’s out of sausage.’”

Joe Allen Dunn of Thomasville was one of Lawler’s closest friends. How close? “There were only two people who cooked him more meals than I have, his momma and the lunchroom lady at school,” Dunn said.

Dunn also said it wasn’t just about hunting and fishing for Big Daddy. It was about all of the natural world.

“He was really big into birds,” he said. “We’d be fishing, and he’d spot a bird and tell me exactly what it was. But I got tickled when I put up a gourd for a bird nest at the house. Big Daddy wanted to put a camera up to video the bird. We put it up, and it lasted about a week. On one of the pictures, he said, ‘Come here and look at this.’ It was a snake. It got the bird. I said I ought to kill that snake. Big Daddy said, ‘Naw, naw, the snake’s gotta eat too. It’s just part of nature.’”

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