SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 137
WHEREAS, The 80th birthday of an esteemed Texan is indeed
cause for celebration, and Forney Fenimore Lawing Jr. of Tyler
reached that impressive milestone in his life on January 8,
2023; and
WHEREAS, Born in 1943 in Charlotte, North Carolina, "John"
Lawing grew up in Hartsville, South Carolina; in high school, he
was a talented running back on the football team, and he went on
to earn a bachelor's degree in psychology at Wofford College,
where he met his future wife, Judith Cottingham; the couple
married in 1966, and they raised a daughter, Stacey Lawing; and
WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Lawing were teachers in Spartanburg,
South Carolina, before they moved to Myrtle Beach in 1968;
Mr. Lawing received a master's degree from Webster University in
1977 and enjoyed a rewarding career in administration at what is
now known as Horry-Georgetown Technical College; he served as the
dean of the Myrtle Beach campus before retiring in 1996; and
WHEREAS, That same year, Mr. and Mrs. Lawing moved to
Tyler to live closer to their daughter and her husband,
Dr. Gerald Gray, and today their family also includes two
grandchildren, Gerald Gray Jr. and Holly Gray; in his leisure
time, Mr. Lawing has enjoyed traveling and playing golf; a man of
deep faith, he was a deacon at Ocean View Baptist church in Myrtle
Beach, and he is currently a member of Green Acres Baptist
Church, where he participates in Sunday school class; and
WHEREAS, John Lawing is a source of wisdom and inspiration
to all who are privileged to know him, and it is indeed a pleasure
to honor him for eight decades of life well lived; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
Legislature, hereby congratulate Forney Fenimore Lawing Jr. on
the occasion of his 80th birthday and extend to him sincere best
wishes for continued happiness; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
prepared for Mr. Lawing as an expression of high regard from the
Texas Senate.
Hughes
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 7, 2023.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate