Early Life
Lemons was born in Ryan, Oklahoma and given the initials-only name "A.E.". He grew up in the town of Walters, Oklahoma and graduated from Walters High School in Spring 1941.
He earned a basketball scholarship to play for Southwestern Oklahoma Teachers College (now known as Southwestern Oklahoma State University). and their long-time coach Rankin Williams.
After United States entered World War II in December 1941, he joined the Merchant Marines. He served in the Pacific and often referred to the pressures of his war experience to put sports pressures into perspective.
After the war, he enrolled at Hardin College, which had just added a four-year senior college in 1946. He was a 6 foot 4 inch center/forward for the Indians, who finished 4-15 under first-year head coach Fermon “Red” Rutledge, during the 1946-47 season.
In 1947, he transferred to Oklahoma City University (OCU) where he played two years for coach Doyle Parrack. In 1947-48, the Chiefs had an 18-13 record, which improved to 20-6 in 1948-49.
He married Betty Jo Bills, and they had two daughters Dana and Jan.
Read more about this topic: Abe Lemons
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