SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 694

In Memory

of

John Abbott

WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew to a close with the passing of John Frank Abbott of Mineola on April 21, 2023, at the age of 70; and

WHEREAS, The son of John Abbott Jr. and Anne Abbott, John Abbott was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on December 8, 1952, and he grew up with the companionship of two sisters, Colleen and Kim; following his graduation from John H. Reagan High School in Austin, he attended Southwest Texas State University, and he completed his education at East Texas State University, where he earned a master's degree in counseling and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction; and

WHEREAS, In 1974, Dr. Abbott began his long and rewarding career in education as a Spanish and English teacher at Mineola High School; he subsequently worked as a counselor in the Alba-Golden Independent School District, and in 1987, he returned to Mineola ISD as curriculum director; he went on to serve as the district's superintendent for several years before accepting a position as director of teacher certification with the Region 7 Educational Service Center; along the way, he also served as a professor of education at Texas College in Tyler; he was a teacher at Grand Saline High School at the time of his passing; and

WHEREAS, Active in his community, Dr. Abbott was a longtime member of the Kiwanis Club, the Wood County Child Welfare Board, and the Mineola Caring and Sharing board, and in 2014, he was named Humanitarian of the Year; a man of deep faith, he was a valued congregant of First United Methodist Church of Mineola; and

WHEREAS, Above all else, Dr. Abbott was devoted to his wife, Janell, with whom he shared a fulfilling marriage of nearly four and a half decades; he loved cooking and traveling in his leisure hours, having visited numerous countries over the years, and he was known for his generosity, kindness, and joie de vivre; and

WHEREAS, John Abbott was a man of great compassion who remained engaged in the world throughout his life and who found joy and inspiration in helping others, and he will always hold a treasured place in the hearts of his loved ones and the many students whose lives he forever enriched; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the memory of John Frank Abbott and extend sincere condolences to all who mourn his passing; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of John Abbott.

Hughes

________________________________

President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 27, 2023, by a rising vote.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate