H.R. No. 269
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The State of Texas lost a celebrated entrepreneur
with the passing of Lonnie "Bo" Pilgrim of Pittsburg on July 21,
2017, at the age of 89; and
WHEREAS, Born in Pine on May 8, 1928, Bo Pilgrim was the son
of Alonzo Monroe Pilgrim and Gertrude Gunn Pilgrim; his father died
when he was a boy, and he went to live with his paternal
grandmother; after working as a farmhand and performing other
manual labor, he accepted an offer to partner with an older brother,
Aubrey, in ownership of a feed store; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Pilgrim served his country in the United States
Army, and while stationed in California, he was impressed by its
enormous feed operations; on his return to Texas, he guided
investment in larger facilities, and the Pilgrim family company
expanded into chicken products and became a major egg producer; he
took charge of Pilgrim's Pride following the death of his brother in
1966, and while continuing to expand the business, he directed
innovative efforts to make its products leaner and healthier; a
savvy marketer, he gained national recognition by appearing in
commercials, sporting a pilgrim's buckled hat; the company became
one of the area's largest employers and one of the world's foremost
poultry producers; he retired in 2010, having spent more than four
decades building a company that today employs 35,000; and
WHEREAS, Highly engaged in the civic sphere, Mr. Pilgrim
worked at the state level to promote a positive business
environment, and his dedication to East Texas was reflected in his
founding of Pilgrim Bank, which he continued to serve as chair
emeritus until his death; a man of deep faith, he was a congregant
at First Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday school for many
years, and he spread the gospel widely by handing out religious
tracts; moreover, he established Marketplace Ministries, a
workplace outreach, created Witness Park as a place of prayer and
fellowship in the center of Pittsburg, and supported the completion
of Pilgrim Plaza, a one-acre site for contemplation and community
gatherings; his bountiful philanthropic giving made a positive
difference in countless lives; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Pilgrim shared a fulfilling marriage of 61 years
with his wife, Patty R. Pilgrim; he was the devoted father of three
children, Ken, Pat, and Greta, and his family also included his
grandchildren, Clayton, Jake, and Lonnie Pilgrim, Greta Gail
Simpson, Chesley Hindman, and Shelby Owens, and his
great-grandchildren, Kate, Emily, and Gracie Hindman; and
WHEREAS, Although his vision, work ethic, and business
expertise brought him tremendous professional success, Bo Pilgrim
placed the highest value on family, faith, and community, and those
who were privileged to know him will continue to find inspiration in
his example of generosity and humble appreciation for his
blessings; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of
Bo Pilgrim and extend sincere condolences to his loved ones; 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 Lonnie "Bo"
Pilgrim.
Hefner
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 269 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on August 15, 2017.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House