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78R4359 JNC-D
By: Ritter 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.