MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2023 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Carter, England, Seymour

Senate Concurrent Resolution 543

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE CONDOLENCES OF THE LEGISLATURE TO THE SURVIVING FAMILY OF DR. CHESTER D. GASTON, JR., OF GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI, RESPECTED MEMBER OF THE MISSISSIPPI BOARD OF PSYCHOLOGY, AND COMMENDING HIS OUTSTANDING EDUCATIONAL SERVICE TO THE STATE.

     WHEREAS, we join the family, friends, colleagues and students of Dr. Chester D. Gaston, Jr., of Gulfport, Mississippi, in mourning his passing on November 18, 2022, at age 78; and

     WHEREAS, the Mississippi Board of Psychology asks that Dr. Gaston should be honored for his outstanding service, not only to the State Board of Psychology, but to the people of Mississippi and the many students he mentored and his outstanding patient care; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Gaston was a graduate of the following universities:  University of Mississippi with a B.F.A. in Design, University of Nebraska with a M.A. in Psychology, and the University of Southern Mississippi with a Ph.D in Clinical Psychology; and

     WHEREAS, he served in the United States Air Force as a Cartographic Officer achieving the rank of Captain.  Dr. Gaston worked as a Staff Psychologist/Neuropsychologist at the VA Gulf Coast Health Care System in Gulfport and Biloxi and retired in 2007; and

     WHEREAS, he was a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), Divisions 18 and 40, the Mississippi Psychological Association (MPA), and he served on the Mississippi Board of Psychology from 1999 to 2005; and

     WHEREAS, he was a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church.  He was a member of the Degas Pastel Society, where he won numerous awards for his artwork.  Dr. Gaston was an amazing artist and lover of great music and food; and

     WHEREAS,  Dr. Gaston is survived by his wife, Janis M. Gaston; his children, Jennifer Flatness (Gary) and Elizabeth Tubertini (Andrew); three grandchildren:  Isabel Tubertini, Davis Tubertini and Abigael Flatness; his sister, Madeline Wilder (George); and other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Colonel Chester D. Gaston and Elizabeth Eugenia Blake Gaston; and two sisters, Elizabeth Marshall and Mary Anderson; and

     WHEREAS, we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of this most public-spirited citizen of Mississippi whose professional leadership and service will be sorely missed:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby extend the condolences of the Legislature to the surviving family of Dr. Chester D. Gaston, Jr., of Gulfport, Mississippi, respected member of the Mississippi Board of Psychology, and commend his outstanding educational service to the state.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Dr. Gaston, forwarded to the Executive Director of the Mississippi Board of Psychology and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.