SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 694
In Memory
of
John Abbott
WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew
to a close with the passing of John Frank Abbott of Mineola on
April 21, 2023, at the age of 70; and
WHEREAS, The son of John Abbott Jr. and Anne Abbott, John
Abbott was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on December 8, 1952, and he
grew up with the companionship of two sisters, Colleen and Kim;
following his graduation from John H. Reagan High School in
Austin, he attended Southwest Texas State University, and he
completed his education at East Texas State University, where he
earned a master's degree in counseling and a doctorate in
curriculum and instruction; and
WHEREAS, In 1974, Dr. Abbott began his long and rewarding
career in education as a Spanish and English teacher at Mineola
High School; he subsequently worked as a counselor in the
Alba-Golden Independent School District, and in 1987, he
returned to Mineola ISD as curriculum director; he went on to
serve as the district's superintendent for several years before
accepting a position as director of teacher certification with
the Region 7 Educational Service Center; along the way, he also
served as a professor of education at Texas College in Tyler; he
was a teacher at Grand Saline High School at the time of his
passing; and
WHEREAS, Active in his community, Dr. Abbott was a
longtime member of the Kiwanis Club, the Wood County Child
Welfare Board, and the Mineola Caring and Sharing board, and in
2014, he was named Humanitarian of the Year; a man of deep faith,
he was a valued congregant of First United Methodist Church of
Mineola; and
WHEREAS, Above all else, Dr. Abbott was devoted to his
wife, Janell, with whom he shared a fulfilling marriage of nearly
four and a half decades; he loved cooking and traveling in his
leisure hours, having visited numerous countries over the years,
and he was known for his generosity, kindness, and joie de vivre;
and
WHEREAS, John Abbott was a man of great compassion who
remained engaged in the world throughout his life and who found
joy and inspiration in helping others, and he will always hold a
treasured place in the hearts of his loved ones and the many
students whose lives he forever enriched; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the memory of John Frank
Abbott 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 Senate adjourns
this day, it do so in memory of John Abbott.
Hughes
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 27, 2023, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate