88R11250 JH-D
By: Hughes S.R. No. 137
R E S O L U T I O N
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 88th Texas 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 by the Texas
Senate.