TITLE: In memory of Percy Alvin Simond Jr. of Lufkin.

SUMMARY: In memory of Percy Alvin Simond Jr. of Lufkin.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, A full and generous life drew to a close with the death of former Lufkin city councilman Percy Alvin Simond Jr. on April 8, 2015, at the age of 97; and WHEREAS, Percy Simond was born on February 22, 1918, to Percy A. Simond Sr. and Amanda Thomas Simond; he graduated from Dunbar High School in Lufkin in 1939, and he went on to attend Texas College in Tyler and to serve his nation in the United States Army; and WHEREAS, In the late 1940s, Mr. Simond moved to Los Angeles, where he met his future wife, Princella, known affectionately as "Princess"; they shared nearly 67 years together and were blessed with a daughter, Sharon; and WHEREAS, Mr. Simond worked for the U.S. Postal Service, an automobile dealership, and, for 23 years, for Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company; in 1978, he and his wife left California to return to Lufkin, and he worked as an apartment manager for nearly three decades until his retirement in 2007; and WHEREAS, A lifetime member of the NAACP, Mr. Simond was thought to be the first African American city councilman in the history of Lufkin, and during his exemplary 18-year tenure on the council, he played a leading role in the building of a new city hall, increasing the salaries of municipal employees, the improvement of infrastructure, and many other programs and initiatives; and WHEREAS, Mr. Simond was also an active member of the Angelina Citizens Chamber of Commerce, the Deep East Texas Council of Governments, the Voters League, and the Urban League, among others; a man of strong religious faith, he was the chair of the board of trustees and a member of the steward board at Long Chapel CME Church; and WHEREAS, Mr. Simond's long record of civic engagement was honored on numerous occasions; he received the Humanitarian Award from the Top Ladies of Distinction and the Citizens Chamber Award, and he was named one of Nine Who Make a Difference by KTRE-TV in Lufkin; in 2009, three recreation pavilions at the Inez Tims Village Apartments were named in his honor, in recognition of his long service as the apartment complex's manager, and on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2010, he was inducted into the Dunbar Hall of Honor; and WHEREAS, An engaged citizen, a devoted husband, and an admired community leader, Percy Simond leaves behind a legacy of good works that will long resonate in the Lufkin community; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Percy Alvin Simond Jr. and extend sincere condolences to his wife, Princella Parsons Simond; to his sisters, Lillie B. Simond Davis and Christa B. Simond Ingram; and to his other relatives and friends; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Percy Alvin Simond Jr. Ashby Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2161 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 21, 2015. Chief Clerk of the House