84R25692 BK-D
By: Clardy H.R. No. 2550
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The passing of Landon Alford on December 18, 2013,
at the age of 78, concluded a remarkable life of service to the
Henderson community; and
WHEREAS, A native of Dallas, Landon Alford was born on July
11, 1935, to John Rogers and Susan Landon Alford; he earned his
diploma from Henderson High School in 1953 and enrolled at Southern
Methodist University, where he met his future wife, the former
Phyllis Potthast; the pair exchanged wedding vows on April 18,
1957, and graduated from SMU the following May; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Alford subsequently returned to Henderson and
assumed ownership of his family's agriculture business, and he
served his country in the United States Air Force and Reserve; named
"Young Man of the Year" in Rusk County in 1960, he had by that time
begun a highly productive tenure on the board of directors for
Citizens National Bank that would go on to span 55 years, including
18 years as chair; during that time, the bank grew to encompass 25
locations in East and Central Texas with deposits totaling $1.3
billion; he additionally served as secretary-treasurer for the
board of Henderson Clay Products until the firm was sold in 1986;
and
WHEREAS, Deeply committed to both his community and greater
East Texas, Mr. Alford headed the Texas Good Roads and
Transportation Association, and his instrumental role in securing
funds for the state highway system earned him the title of "East
Texan of the Year" by the East Texas Chamber of Commerce in 1984; he
worked extensively with the Texas Department of Transportation to
facilitate the improvement of Texas highways, and today, Loop 571
in Henderson bears his name as a tribute to his efforts; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Alford served multiple terms on the board of the
Henderson Area Chamber of Commerce, and he was a member of the
chamber's transportation committee for more than four decades; he
further devoted his time as chair of the Henderson Memorial
Hospital board and as president of the Henderson Kiwanis Club and
the John R. Alford and Susan Landon Alford Foundation, an
organization founded by his parents; in 1978, he received the Wes
Dean Award for his work with the YMCA in Henderson; and
WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Alford enjoyed the love
and support of his family; during the 56 years of marriage he shared
with his wife, he became the proud father of three sons, Eugene,
Benson, and David, and he welcomed the arrival of six
grandchildren, John, Lauren, Elizabeth, Madeline, Amelia, and
Eveline; he was known for his unassuming manner and for the
attention and consideration he showed for all people, traits that
won him the widespread trust and respect of his fellow citizens; and
WHEREAS, Landon Alford was a man of compassion, integrity,
and dedication whose contributions to his community had a profound
and positive impact on those around him, and although he is deeply
missed, his legacy continues to resonate in the city he was proud to
call home; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Landon Alford and
extend sincere sympathy to all those who have mourned the passing of
this esteemed Texan; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Landon
Alford.