H.R. No. 128



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The passing of John Ellis Gray of Beaumont on March 
20, 2002, brought great sorrow to the family, friends, and 
community of this esteemed gentleman; and
	WHEREAS, A native Texan, Mr. Gray was born March 3, 1907, in 
Buckeye; the family moved to Beaumont, where his parents, John and 
Millie Gray, raised rice and dairy cattle; and
	WHEREAS, It was his sophomore year at South Park High School 
that Mr. Gray met the love of his life, Mary Hahn; after graduating 
as valedictorian, he enrolled in South Park Junior College, which 
would grow to become Lamar University, and was the top male graduate 
in the college's first graduating class; and
	WHEREAS, After earning a B.A. in government and an M.A. in 
educational administration from The University of Texas, Mr. Gray 
became athletic director of Lamar College, was named dean of men by 
the age of 33, and five years later became president; he championed 
the efforts to make the school a four-year, state-supported 
institution and saw his dream realized in September 1951; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Gray left Lamar University to pursue a career in 
banking and rose to the position of president at First Security 
National Bank of Beaumont and became its chief executive officer 
and chairman of the board; and
	WHEREAS, Years later, the needs of his beloved Lamar 
University brought him out of retirement to serve a second term as 
president; upon his departure in 1977, the school regents named him 
president emeritus and dedicated three campus buildings in his 
honor; and
	WHEREAS, Widely known and respected, this esteemed gentleman 
was a living legend of Lamar University; those who had the privilege 
of knowing him will not soon forget the gentle and generous spirit 
of John Gray, who loved his family, his community, and his alma 
mater; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby honor the life and contributions of John Ellis 
Gray and extend sincere sympathy to the family and many friends of 
this gracious gentleman; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of 
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of John Ellis 
Gray.

                                                                          Ritter


                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 128 was unanimously adopted by a 
rising vote of the House on March 27, 2003.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House