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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Family and friends will long cherish their memories |
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of Dr. Jerry Ronald Payne Sr. of Hallsville, who passed away on |
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July 17, 2023, at the age of 87; and |
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WHEREAS, The son of Luther Maldon Payne and Opal Donnis |
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Dulany, Jerry Payne was born in Dodson, Louisiana, on December 10, |
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1935; following his graduation from Bolton High School, he attended |
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Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, where he |
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went on to earn his bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees; he |
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married the love of his life, the former Marilyn Delaine Pippen, on |
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August 24, 1957, and the couple shared a fulfilling marriage that |
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spanned nearly six decades until her passing in 2014; they became |
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the parents of 5 children, Mal, Ronnie, Donnis, Melissa, and |
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Jeannie, and they later knew the joy of welcoming into their |
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treasured family 15 grandchildren, Jon, Amy, Jacob, Jonah, Grant, |
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Morgan, Katherine, Michael, Coby, Melody, Abby, Lily, Jaxon, |
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Bronwyn, and Charlotte, and 2 great-grandchildren, Rayden and |
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Isabel; and |
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WHEREAS, Dr. Payne embarked on his distinguished career in |
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music education as a band director at Alexandria Junior High, and |
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after a stint at Alexandria Senior High, he returned to |
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Northwestern State to serve as director of bands; during this time, |
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he also served his country in the United States Army National Guard |
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and was called to active duty during the Berlin Crisis of 1961; in |
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1977, he accepted the band director position in Marshall, and under |
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his able leadership, the Marshall High School "Big Red Pride" Band |
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earned numerous honors; he retired in 2002 after more than 45 years |
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as a music educator; and |
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WHEREAS, Following his retirement, Dr. Payne devoted himself |
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to caring for his wife throughout her battle with Parkinson's |
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disease; in his leisure time, he enjoyed traveling, cheering on the |
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Texas Rangers, and spending time with his family and friends, and he |
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continued his passion for music by giving private lessons and |
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performing as a saxophone player; and |
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WHEREAS, Jerry Payne lived a life that was rich in personal |
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and professional achievements, and he will forever be a source of |
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inspiration to those he leaves behind; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature, 3rd |
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Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory of Dr. Jerry |
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Ronald Payne Sr. and extend sincere sympathy to all who mourn his |
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passing; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this |
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day, it do so in memory of Dr. Jerry Payne. |