89R13787 DSH-D
By: Hughes S.R. No. 251
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew to
a close with the passing of John Lawrence Wilborn Sr. of Marshall on
February 1, 2025, at the age of 92; and
WHEREAS, Born in Marshall on June 9, 1932, John Wilborn was
the son of Ella Mae Scott and Julius Wilborn; a 1949 graduate of
H.B. Pemberton High School, he went on to earn degrees from Wiley
University and Texas Southern University; he served his country
during the Korean War as a member of the United States Army; and
WHEREAS, In 1956, Mr. Wilborn met his future wife, Kathryn
Thompson, and they married a year later; the couple were blessed
with three children, John Wilborn Jr., Jeffrey Wilborn, and
Stephanie Wilborn Myers; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Wilborn had a long and rewarding career in
education, working as a teacher for nearly three decades and as an
administrator for eight years; in 1991, he retired from Marshall
Independent School District as deputy principal at Sam Houston
Middle School; and
WHEREAS, A dedicated public servant, Mr. Wilborn represented
District 5 in Marshall on the city council for 24 years; from 1992
to 1994, he served as mayor of Marshall, becoming only the second
African American to hold the office; as mayor, he worked to
integrate administrative positions into municipal government; he
also served on the Marshall Economic Development Board of Directors
for two terms; in addition, he was an active member of Bethesda
Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, Although John Wilborn will be deeply missed, he has
left his family and friends with a wealth of memories that they will
forever treasure; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 89th Texas Legislature
hereby pay tribute to the life of John Lawrence Wilborn Sr. 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 Wilborn.