2021 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 253
BY SENATORS ABRAHAM AND JOHNS
A RESOLUTION
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
deaths of John Murphy Falgout Sr. and Jennie Lee Falgout.
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the members of the
Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana have learned of the passing of Jennie Lee Falgout on
May 25, 2021, and John Murphy Falgout Sr. on June 7, 2021; and
WHEREAS, Jennie Lee Bruno Falgout was born on January 23, 1931, in Erath,
Louisiana, to Edna and Dallas Bruno and grew up in Vinton, Louisiana, prior to moving to
and living the majority of her life in Lake Charles, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, while her great calling and strength was that of a wife, mother, and
grandmother, she cared greatly for her own education and the education of others; and
WHEREAS, she attended Southwest Louisiana Institute (now University of
Louisiana-Lafayette) where she earned a bachelor's degree in education and McNeese State
University where she earned a Masters of Guidance and Counseling; and
WHEREAS, she carried her love for education and others into a successful career
teaching business, typing, and shorthand for several years at Vinton High School; and
WHEREAS, she later became the High School guidance counselor at Moss Bluff
High School and LaGrange High School, where she retired after thirty-two years of
faithfully serving her students and colleagues; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Falgout was a member of St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Lake
Charles, Louisiana, and her love for her family, her devotion to God, and her ongoing
commitment to education could not be separated from her deep Catholic faith; and
WHEREAS, whether she was baking her irresistible chocolate cake, stirring her
unbeatable rice and gravy, threading a sewing needle, or giving thoughtful advice to one of
her children or grandchildren, Jennie Lee's virtues were visible to all and can be seen in the
generations of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, John Murphy Falgout Sr., a native of Delcambe, Louisiana, was born
January 6, 1928, to Aurelie Joseph Falgout and Agnes Marie Babineaux; and
Page 1 of 3 SR NO. 253 ENROLLED
WHEREAS, at age eighteen, he joined the Navy and served overseas in Tsingtao,
China, on the USS Sierra; he was later stationed in San Diego, California, where he excelled
at playing football for Destroyer Pacific (Des Pac); and
WHEREAS, after being honorably discharged from the Navy, he continued his
education and took his football skills to Southwestern Louisiana Institute where he met his
beautiful bride of seventy years, Jennie Lee Falgout; and
WHEREAS, at SLI, John earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and set football
receiving records that stood for many years, signed a contract with the New York Giants,
was later inducted into the USL Football Hall of Fame, and was honored by USL in 1987
with the Outstanding Alumni Award for the Class of 1952; and
WHEREAS, he then furthered his education and earned a master's degree in
Education Administration from McNeese State University; and
WHEREAS, in 1953, John began an extended and successful career as a teacher,
coach, and school principal spanning from Abbeville to Vinton to Lake Charles High
School; and
WHEREAS, after retiring as principal of LCHS, he continued to serve Calcasieu
Parish as an elected school board member for twenty plus years where he proudly served as
vice president and president, and later president, of the Louisiana State School Board; and
WHEREAS, in 1980, his hard work continued into a fulfilling second career as a
consultant for Garber Industries; and
WHEREAS, John Falgout's passion, virtue, and dedication can be found in the
countless stories told by those whose lives he touched; and
WHEREAS, John was an active member of St. Margaret Catholic Church, Knights
of Columbus (3rd and 4th degree), the Louisiana School Board Association, National School
Board Association, Southwest Louisiana Principal's Association, Louisiana Principals'
Association, Calcasieu Education Association, Louisiana Education Association, National
Education Association, State and National Principals Association, TPA, and Woodmen of
the World Organizations, and National Association of Secondary School Principals
Association, as well as being active in the Louisiana, Southwest Louisiana, and Calcasieu
school athletic associations; and
Page 2 of 3 SR NO. 253 ENROLLED
WHEREAS, he served in the Air Force Reserves and retired at the rank of Captain;
and
WHEREAS, throughout his life he demonstrated a strong faith in God, love for his
family, and an unwavering commitment to education and athletics; and
WHEREAS, whether he was boiling crawfish, barbecuing, playing golf, or joking
and kidding with his friends and family, John instilled his virtues so they may be carried on
in the generations of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Jennie Lee was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Estelle
McCarthy; John was preceded in death by his beloved wife, his parents, and five siblings,
Herman, Howard, Frank, Mable, and Myrtis; and
WHEREAS, Jennie Lee was survived by her husband and two sisters, Janet Breaux
and Muriel Guidry; John was survived by a sister Lillian LeBlanc; and they both were
survived by five children and their spouses: Charlene Falgout, Yvonne Chafin (Scott Chafin
Sr.), John Falgout Jr. (Kristin Falgout), Paul Falgout (Karla Falgout), and Terry Falgout,
along with eighteen grandchildren and twenty-two great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, the passing of John and Jennie Lee Falgout has left a substantial void
and a sense of loss in the people whose lives they touched, and their memory will live
forever in the hearts of all those who knew and loved this truly wonderful couple.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby extend its deepest and most profound condolences to the family of John and
Jennie Lee Falgout on the occasion of their deaths.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to their
children, Charlene Falgout, Yvonne Chafin, John Falgout Jr., Paul Falgout, and
Terry Falgout.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
Page 3 of 3