87S30305 BHH-D
By: Frullo H.R. No. 33
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A rich and purposeful life drew to a close with the
passing of John Gordon Wilkerson Jr. of Lubbock on August 28, 2021,
at the age of 86; and
WHEREAS, A lifelong Lubbock resident, John Wilkerson was born
on December 18, 1934, to John Gordon Wilkerson and Cleo Hankins
Wilkerson Bullard, and he grew up with two siblings, Howard and
Mary; he graduated from Lubbock High School in 1953 and from Baylor
University in 1957; dedicated to his alma mater, he went on to serve
for 18 years on the Baylor Board of Regents, including as chair, and
he presided over the Hankamer School of Business alumni board of
directors; he also chaired the Baylor Development Council; and
WHEREAS, In 1956, Mr. Wilkerson assumed leadership of the
Wilkerson Cold Storage Co., and he remained at its helm as chairman
until his death; under his able leadership, Wilkerson Storage Co.
and Wilkerson Properties served an array of commercial and
industrial logistics and real estate customers; Mr. Wilkerson
belonged to the board of directors of the International Association
of Refrigerated Warehouses, and he was instrumental in the growth
of the Lubbock community, chairing the Board of City Development,
the Lubbock Central Appraisal District, and the Civil Service
Commission; and
WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Wilkerson enjoyed the love
and support of his wife of 63 years, Ruth, and he took great pride in
his four children, Gordon, David, Sarah, and Ray, who preceded his
father in death; with the passing years, Mr. Wilkerson welcomed
eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren into his family; a
man of deep faith, he served in numerous capacities at First Baptist
Church; he was a champion of the downtrodden and readily shared his
resources with those in need; and
WHEREAS, John Wilkerson possessed a generosity of spirit that
expressed itself in myriad ways, and he enriched the lives of
countless people with his compassion, integrity, and strength of
character; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory
of John Gordon Wilkerson Jr. and extend heartfelt sympathy to the
members of his family: to his wife, Ruth Wilkerson; to his children,
Gordon Wilkerson and his wife, Lori, David Wilkerson and his wife,
Kim, and Sarah Scott and her husband, Richard; to his
grandchildren, Will, Rachel, Ellen, and Caroline Wilkerson and
Warner, Ethan, and Julia Scott; to his great-grandchildren, Calvin
Harrison and Charlotte Wilkerson; to his sister, Mary Grady; to his
sister-in-law, Glenda Wilkerson; and to all others 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
Wilkerson.