H.R. No. 1085
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The citizens of McKinney lost a valued resident with
the death of John Edward Gay on January 26, 2021, at the age of 91;
and
WHEREAS, A native of McKinney, John Gay was born to Morris and
Eleanor Gay on March 9, 1929; after graduating from McKinney Boyd
High School in 1947, he attended Southern Methodist University,
where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1951 and his law degree in
1954; he subsequently embarked on a successful legal career that
spanned more than six decades and included a 50-year tenure as
general counsel for the North Texas Municipal Water District; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Gay was a member of the McKinney City Council
from 1985 until 1991, and he went on to serve as the city's mayor for
three terms, until 1997; he further contributed to his community
through leadership roles with a number of worthy organizations,
including the McKinney Rotary Club, the Children's Advocacy Center
of Collin County, the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife
Sanctuary, and the McKinney Education Foundation; moreover, he was
a member of the board at First United Methodist Church of McKinney;
and
WHEREAS, In October 1959, Mr. Gay wed the former Judy
Leatherman, and in the course of their 61 years of marriage, they
became the proud parents of three children, Jennifer, John, and
David; with the passing years, he had the privilege of seeing his
family grow to include four grandchildren, Alan, Taylor, Ryan, and
Maggie; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of his many accomplishments, Mr. Gay
received the 1999 Citizen of the Year award from the McKinney
Chamber of Commerce; in addition, he and his wife were honored by
the City of McKinney, which named the John & Judy Gay Library in
their honor; and
WHEREAS, Although John Gay's death has brought great sorrow
to his loved ones, his life was an inspiring example of the good
that one person can accomplish; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of John Edward Gay and
extend sincere condolences to all who mourn his passing; 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 John Gay.
Sanford
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1085 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 14, 2021.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House