2017 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 24
BY SENATORS GATTI, PEACOCK AND TARVER AND REPRESENTATIVES
CARMODY, HORTON, JENKINS, REYNOLDS AND SEABAUGH
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To express the sincere condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the death of Don
Martin Whittington, a lifelong resident of Benton, Louisiana and a man who loved
his family and made countless contributions to his community.
WHEREAS, Don Martin Whittington was born to Julian Martin and Eula Cutrer
Whittington on April 24, 1935, at Highland Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana after which,
his parents took him home to Benton, where he would live his entire life; and
WHEREAS, following his graduation from Bossier High School, Don Whittington
earned a bachelor's degree in animal husbandry from Louisiana Tech University, in Ruston,
Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, in 1957, Mr. Whittington married Lydia Ann Merritt and they were
happily married for fifty-two years, until her death in 2009, having shared a remarkable and
fulfilling life together; and
WHEREAS, the couple raised two sons, Julian Curtis Whittington, currently sheriff
of Bossier Parish, and Justin Martin Whittington, a resident of Bossier City, Louisiana, and
in addition, those who are also left to cherish his memory include his two daughters-in-law,
three grandchildren, and numerous members of his extended family; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his roles as landowner, tree farmer, and cattleman, Don
Whittington also pursued a career in banking, beginning with Bossier Bank and Trust; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Whittington moved to the Bank of Benton and in 1984, he became
one of the founders of the First National Bank of Benton, where he served as chairman of
the board for thirty-three years; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Whittington was a civic-minded citizen of Benton where he served
as town councilman, worked for fifty years as a volunteer firefighter, and was a member of
the Bossier Parish Police Jury for twenty years; and
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WHEREAS, beyond his business and civic work and time spent with his family, Don
Whittington was a member of the Louisiana Cattleman's Association, the Louisiana Forestry
Association, the Benton Masonic Lodge, and the Bossier City Lions Club; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Whittington was the longest standing member of the First Baptist
Church of Benton and a member of "the ole" Dr. Kelly Sunday school class of that church;
and
WHEREAS, Don Whittington was a man known well around the town of Benton and
could often be seen at the bank, the post office or the café, where he could catch up on the
news of the town, but all this was when he was not at the farm, which he considered to have
been entrusted to him to use wisely; and
WHEREAS, Don Martin Whittington was a devoted family man, a steward of the
land that he tended, a man committed to using his time and talents to better his community,
and a well-respected citizen of his treasured town of Benton.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
express the sincere condolences upon the death of Don Martin Whittington, a lifelong
resident of Benton, Louisiana and a devoted family man who made countless contributions
to his community.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Mr. Whittington's sons, Sheriff Julian Curtis Whittington and Justin Martin Whittington.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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