House Resolution 22

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE OF BOBBY RAY WELDON AND EXPRESSING THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, Bobby Ray Weldon, the husband of Gerrie Ann Simon Weldon, father of Scott Gerard Weldon and Daniel Ray Weldon, grandfather of Ben, David, and Anna Elizabeth, and son of Inez and Ray Anderson Weldon, departed this life on August 1, 2002; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Weldon, a graduate of Biloxi High School and Perkinston Junior College, served thirty years in the United States Marine Corp that included a three-year separation from his family overseas where he served as crew chief and gunner in helicopters in the Vietnam War; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Weldon retired from the Marine Corp as a Master Sergeant believing "Once a Marine, always a Marine"; and

WHEREAS, after retiring from the Marine Corp, he supported his family by working for Ingalls Shipbuilding as a quality assurance inspector; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Weldon was a humble man who was also a steadfast husband and proud father who, when his wife, Gerrie, said, "I need this for the children in the school library," it was done and whose children's accomplishments made him proud, giving him the recognition that he never received in his own life; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Weldon's biggest accomplishments in life were the joy he brought the children by dressing up as Clifford, the dog, and his tireless efforts of creating a wonderland in the library of Bayou View Elementary School; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Weldon's labor of love for the children of Bayou View Elementary School contributed to the school's receipt of the "Master Accelerated Reading Through Renaissance Learning, Inc." award; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Weldon also served the community as a member of the Biloxi 606 Elks Lodge and a member of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, where he was President of the Parish Council and Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Rhinehart Council; and

WHEREAS, to those who knew Bobby Ray, he was known as a man of character and unwavering principle, a friend, a son, a father, a husband, a soldier and most of all he was known as a good man; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to pay tribute to men of great character and honor, such as Bobby Ray Weldon, who devoted his life to his country, his family and the children of this great state:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life of Bobby Ray Weldon and express our deepest sympathy to his family and friends.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Bobby Ray Weldon and the Capitol Press Corps.