SLS 22RS-1303 ORIGINAL
2022 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 76
BY SENATOR FOIL
CONDOLENCES. Expresses sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of John
Compton Jr.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
3 death of John Compton Jr. and to recognize his outstanding accomplishments.
4 WHEREAS, it was with deep regret and profound sorrow that members of the Senate
5 of Louisiana learned of the death of John Compton Jr. on March 26, 2022; and
6 WHEREAS, John Compton Jr. was born in Rapides Parish on September 14, 1935,
7 where his families' roots ran deep as pioneers; and
8 WHEREAS, John Jr. spent his formative years on his family's Cheneyville farm
9 where his love of animals and appreciation for agriculture was first illuminated; and
10 WHEREAS, in 1953, John left his home to study agriculture economics at Louisiana
11 State University where he thoroughly enjoyed his youth and experienced all of the social fun
12 and indulgence that college has to offer becoming a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and
13 also one of the infamous LSU Samurai; when reminiscing on his days at LSU, he would
14 jokingly say that if he had any more fun, he would not have graduated; and
15 WHEREAS, it was at an Episcopal Student Center mixer that he met Miss Fannie
16 Samuel who would later become his loving and devoted wife of over sixty-two years; and
17 WHEREAS, Fannie, who is lovingly called "the Madame", and John were wed in
18 1959 just after graduation, and the couple moved to Fort Gordon, a military installation in
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SLS 22RS-1303 ORIGINAL
1 Augusta, Georgia, for John to fulfill his military commitment; and
2 WHEREAS, John's active duty service at Fort Gordon was shortened by hardship
3 brought on by the death of his father-in-law, resulting in his transfer into the United States
4 Army Reserves; his military service continued until his retirement with the prestigious rank
5 of Lieutenant Colonel; and
6 WHEREAS, upon returning to the city of his collegiate days, John and his family
7 made Baton Rouge their home, and as befitting his degree, he went to work for the state's
8 agriculture department under the leadership of former commissioner Dave Pierce; and
9 WHEREAS, Commissioner Pierce maintained an innate love of people that matched
10 John's and the two traveled the state, visiting small towns, appearing on local television and
11 broadcasting on radio programs with the mission to promote Louisiana's vast agricultural
12 products, and together, they became the public faces of agriculture in Louisiana; and
13 WHEREAS, John's trusted and established history of presenting the prodigious
14 agricultural resources of Louisiana in an affective and intelligible way endeared him to
15 newly elected Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, Bob Odom who asked John to
16 become his deputy; and
17 WHEREAS, through his work, John was recognized, well-known, and well-liked by
18 residents including the numerous state employees who time and time again, elected him to
19 serve as their representative to the Louisiana Deferred Compensation Board even after his
20 state retirement; and
21 WHEREAS, the celebration to commemorate John's retirement was described as both
22 an epic and memorable night with mountains of jambalaya for guests to enjoy, spontaneous
23 interruptions of good humor, and an unprecedented number of family, friends, and loved
24 ones who traveled from across the state during inclement weather to honor his years of
25 hardwork, dedication, and service to the state of Louisiana; and
26 WHEREAS, John was actively engaged in ministry through his service at St. James
27 Episcopal Church where he served on the vestry, fulfilled frequent usher duties as well
28 facilitated the foyer group dinners for over 20 years alongside his wife; and
29 WHEREAS, Mr. Compton was engaged in community organizations and participated
30 as a member of the Baton Rouge Assembly, the Baton Rouge Country Club, the City Club,
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1 the Society of Colonial Wars, and even demonstrated his lively spirit and love of dance
2 through his membership with several dance clubs; and
3 WHEREAS, John had the distinct honor of being appointed president of the Greater
4 Baton Rouge Dyslexia Association and served on the Soil and Water Conservation Board
5 for more than three decades; and
6 WHEREAS, though he had an incredible social life and loved his career, above all
7 else, John's love and devotion to his wife, his son John Compton III, and his daughters
8 Frances Compton Rambo and Elizabeth Compton, who he affectionately called Bethie Boo,
9 were always first in his life; and
10 WHEREAS, in 2019, Fannie and John celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary
11 dancing, trying new foods, and discussing the political landscape of their beloved state, all
12 while being surrounded by family and friends; and
13 WHEREAS, John Compton Jr. led a remarkable life and those who knew and loved
14 him swell with pride remembering his love for his family, his state, and his faith; and
15 WHEREAS, Mr. Compton represents all that is good about Louisiana with all of his
16 unique talents, dynamic spirit, and charitable heart; he shared his talents and abilities with
17 his community and was a man of distinction who will be intensely missed but will never be
18 forgotten.
19 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
20 does hereby express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of John Compton Jr.,
21 does hereby recognize and record for posterity his accomplishments, and does hereby extend
22 appreciation for his enduring contributions and transformative impact that will long be
23 appreciated and a source of pride in the state of Louisiana.
24 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
25 family of John Compton Jr.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Kenyatta M. Honeycutt.
DIGEST
SR 76 Original 2022 Regular Session Foil
Expresses condolences upon the death of John Compton Jr.
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