House Concurrent Resolution 80

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE VALIANT SERVICE AND MOURNING THE LOSS OF UNITED STATES NAVY COMMANDER JOSEPH ALLEN LACOUR, JR., UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, it is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, on February 23, 2018, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, United States Navy Commander Joseph Allen LaCour, Jr., to eternal rest, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, born on March 7, 1924, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Joseph Allen LaCour, Sr., and Gladys Anderson LaCour, Commander LaCour graduated from Canton High School in Canton, Mississippi, on June 2, 1942, and he was sworn into the V5 Flight Training Program the very next day; and

WHEREAS, after negotiating three basic flight training schools, Commander LaCour was selected for advanced flight training at Pensacola NAS and then he was selected for Squadron 4-Fighter flight training, and on September 10, 1943, he became Aviator #P-5998, and he served as an instructor pilot before serving in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, flying the F4F-5 Super Wildcat, F6F Hellcat, F8F Bearcat, F4U Corsair, as well as other various aircraft; and

WHEREAS, Commander LaCour served aboard the USS Corregidor, CVE 58, an escort aircraft carrier in the Pacific, which was primarily used to support the other larger Essex, Hornet and Yorktown class carriers with replacement planes and pilots in the Pacific; and

WHEREAS, after his service, Commander LaCour returned to Canton, and he attended Millsaps College, playing on the football team and earning his bachelor's degree in history, and he furthered his education by attending the National Hardwood Lumber Association's Inspection School in Memphis, Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, Commander LaCour returned to Canton again in 1949, and he married Helen O'Bannon and joined his father in forming J.A. LaCour & Company, which engages in the international business of importing and exporting hardwoods, and with this business, he had the opportunity to travel the globe, visiting numerous continents and regions, such as Europe, the Far East, Africa, the Near East, South America, Central America and North America, and he continued to be actively involved in the company until his passing; and

WHEREAS, being devoted to his country, Commander LaCour continued in the active naval reserves in a variety of surface and air assignments, and he commanded the Air Wing 82 intelligence group comprised of 35 intelligence officers from 1968 until 1971, and in 1984 he retired from the United States Navy at the mandatory age of 60 with the permanent rank of Commander, but he elected to remain on the officer recall list for life and has been on that list for 76 years; and

WHEREAS, not only was Commander LaCour dedicated to serving his country, he was also tremendously devoted to serving his community and his church as former president of Canton Country Club and as former president of the Canton Academy School Board, and serving several terms on the Vestry of Grace Episcopal Church and serving as Madison County Election Commissioner, and he was a member of numerous organizations, such as the National Hardwood Lumber Association, the Southwestern Lumberman's Club, the Memphis Lumberman's Club and the International Trade Club of Mississippi, and he was a passionate advocate for the Boy Scouts of America, where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout, which is the highest rank achievable in the Boy Scouts; and

WHEREAS, though he has traversed the river of life to now stand upon the golden heavenly shores, the legacy of Commander Joseph Allen LaCour, Jr.'s selfless service and commitment to his family, his state and to the United States will forever be etched in the hearts and memories of his loving survivors: his wife of 68 years, Helen O'Bannon LaCour; his children, Irving Allen LaCour, David Holt LaCour and Janet LaCour Snow; and his numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren who loved him dearly; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize outstanding Americans such as United States Navy Commander Joseph Allen LaCour, Jr., whose steadfast commitment to his family and unwavering dedication to this great nation has brought great honor to his family, the State of Mississippi and to the United States of America:

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 valiant service and mourn the loss of United States Navy Commander Joseph Allen LaCour, Jr., upon his passing, and express deepest sympathy to his family and friends.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of United States Navy Commander Joseph Allen LaCour, Jr., and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.