House Concurrent Resolution 62

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF JOHN DAVID MCELHANEY, SR., AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, John David McElhaney, Sr., born September 4, 1916, the fourth child of Gideon McElhaney and Anna Pearl Myers of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, departed this earthly life on September 7, 2000, causing great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, beginning his business career at the age of six by selling papers and magazines on the street corner, Mr. McElhaney had an eye for business and secured his first business loan at the age of fifteen to finance fireworks sales; and

WHEREAS, Mr. McElhaney possessed a strong work ethic and throughout his lifetime had worked for Mississippi Power Company, Southern Bell Telephone, Mississippi Central Railroad, United Gas Company and Sears and Roebuck; and

WHEREAS, in 1948, Mr. McElhaney, along with his brothers and sister, joined the McElhaney Plumbing Company, which was founded by their father in 1926; and

WHEREAS, in 1939 he enlisted with the United States Navy, and was aboard the USS New York in a convoy that landed the first marines in Iceland in preparation for World War II; and

WHEREAS, he received a medical discharge in 1941, and on December 9 of that year, he was united in holy matrimony to Winifred Ellen Scott and to their union four children were born; and

WHEREAS, appointed to serve on Governor Paul B. Johnson's staff as a Colonel, Mr. McElhaney was twice honored by being named to the list of Who's Who in Mississippi for the years of 1974 and 1991; and

WHEREAS, a faithful member of the Petal United Methodist Church for forty-eight years, Mr. McElhaney was also active throughout the community in civic and social involvements, including: the Masonic Blue Lodge, the VFW, the American Legion, the USM Alumni and Eagles Club, Young Men's Business Club which dissolved to become the Noon Day Optimist Club, the Petal Optimist Club and Petal Lions Club; and

WHEREAS, Mr. McElhaney will be sorely missed by all whose life he touched in some manner, but above all his memory and legacy will live on in the hearts, memories and spirits of those who knew and loved him best, his survivors, including: his wife, Winifred; four children, Sandra, Lynda, Jonee and David; one sister, Louise Lewis; nine grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to pay special tribute to the lives of such an outstanding individual as Mr. McElhaney, whose life, work ethic and warm generosity touched the lives of so many:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the life and accomplishments of John David McElhaney, Sr., and express our deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mrs. Winifred McElhaney and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.