MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2004 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) King, Gollott, Morgan, Dawkins, Wilemon, Lee (47th), Dearing, Hewes
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF PUBLIC SERVICE OF HIGHLY DECORATED VETERAN GENERAL ROGER BARTON JOHNSON OF HATTIESBURG, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, General Roger Barton Johnson, former executive administrative assistant to University of Southern Mississippi Presidents William D. McCain and Aubrey K. Lucas, died January 21, 2004, at his home in Hattiesburg, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, a native of Amory, Mississippi, General Johnson was a highly decorated veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in both the European and Pacific theaters during World War II as an executive officer with the 143rd Anti-Aircraft Battalion. Among many other citations for his military service, General Johnson was awarded the Purple Heart and in 1951 received the Mississippi Magnolia Medal; and
WHEREAS, General Johnson earned his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from Mississippi State University, where he participated in the university's ROTC program. In addition to his military career, he also worked as a teacher and school principal. He came to the University of Southern Mississippi in 1956 when the university was known as "Mississippi Southern College"; and
WHEREAS, at the University of Southern Mississippi, his duties included assisting in the oversight of property acquisition for the expansion of the university, and in the schools' transition from college to university status. He was also instrumental in the formation of the University of Southern Mississippi School of Nursing, the DuBard School for Language Disorders and for the establishment of the University Libraries' de Grummond Collection. He retired from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1982; and
WHEREAS, we are indebted to General Johnson for his years of tireless service to the University of Southern Mississippi and for his work to transform the university into a leader among the nation's institutions of higher learning; and
WHEREAS, survivors include: his wife, Hattie Mae Johnson; four sons, Roger B. Johnson, Jr. of Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, Stephen F. Johnson of New Castle, Delaware, Thomas Johnson of Brussels, Belgium and Burney P. Johnson of Birmingham, Alabama; a daughter, Memrie Kelly of New York, New York; 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; and
WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of this dedicated public servant and veteran, whose career is a model to citizens in the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the life and legacy of public service of highly decorated veteran General Roger Barton Johnson of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and express the sympathy of the Legislature on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of General Johnson and University of Southern Mississippi President Shelby Thames and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.