79R19157 JNC-D

By:  McReynolds                                                   H.R. No. 2106



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Residents of Lufkin lost a beloved neighbor, friend, 
and civic leader on May 17, 2005, with the passing of Colonel 
Vardaman F. Johnson at the age of 70; and
	WHEREAS, A native of the Lone Star State, Colonel Johnson was 
born in Nacogdoches County and graduated with honors from Texas A&M 
University, where he was squadron commander of the Corps of Cadets 
in his senior year; and
	WHEREAS, In 1958, this brave Texan joined the United States 
Air Force, and his lengthy military career was full of many 
remarkable accomplishments; he served as comptroller for a 
Department of Defense agency with a budget of more than $4 billion, 
was commander of an air force wing responsible for two air force 
bases, and flew 158 combat missions in Vietnam; and
	WHEREAS, His steadfast courage and dedication earned Colonel 
Johnson a host of accolades, including  the Defense Superior 
Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, 
the Bronze Star Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal; and
	WHEREAS, After nearly three decades of service Colonel 
Johnson left the military and began a successful career in the 
banking industry, retiring from Lufkin National Bank in 1994; and
	WHEREAS, A dedicated volunteer in his community, he was a 
longtime member and past president of the Lufkin Rotary Club, 
lending his time to a host of the group's committees, holding the 
position of district governor, and representing District 5910 at 
the 2001 and 2005 Council on Legislation; in addition, he worked on 
the boards of  SFA Friends of Music, Boys and Girls Club of Deep East 
Texas, Salvation Army, Boy Scouts of America, and Pinecrest 
Retirement Community, to name but a few; and
	WHEREAS, This valued member of First United Methodist Church 
in Lufkin served the congregation as lay leader, chairman of the 
Council on Ministry, treasurer, building committee chairman, 
Sunday school teacher, and member of the Administrative Council; 
and
	WHEREAS, Colonel Johnson was a devoted family man as well; he 
shared 47 years with his beloved wife, LaNell, and embraced his role 
of father and grandfather; and
	WHEREAS, The life of Vardaman Johnson was a blessing to 
countless individuals, and his concern for others and commitment to 
his loved ones and community will not soon be forgotten by those who 
were privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby honor the life of Colonel Vardaman F. Johnson 
and extend deepest sympathy to the members of his family: to his 
wife, LaNell Harris Johnson; to his son, Mark Alan Johnson; to his 
daughter, Vicki Lynne Tuegel and her husband, Greg; to his 
grandchildren, Travis Clark and Andrew, Amy, and Elizabeth Tuegel; 
to his sisters, Patsy Klein and her husband, Barney, Wadean Hoover 
and her husband, Gerry, Mattie Collins and her husband, Wayne, and 
Julia Baumann and her husband, Mike; to his brother, Mac Johnson and 
his wife, Maxine; and to his many other relatives and friends; 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 Colonel 
Vardaman F. Johnson.