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2026 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 26
BY SENATOR MIZELL
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
To express sincere condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the death of John
Norman Gallaspy.
WHEREAS, it is with profound sorrow the Legislature of Louisiana has learned of
the passing of John Norman Gallaspy on March 21, 2026, at the age of ninety-three has been
learned; and
WHEREAS, John was born on November 8, 1932, to the union of Francis Norman
Gallaspy and Hazel Weeks Gallaspy, and later, after his mother passed away when he was
three, his father married Mary Leigh Marshall Gallaspy and his two sisters, Kathleen and
Virginia, were born of that union; and
WHEREAS, at a young age, the family farm provided John with the opportunity to
pursue his passion for growing watermelons and in 1943, at the age of ten, John planted his
first watermelon patch; and
WHEREAS, at the age of fifteen, John graduated from Pelican High School and
enrolled at LSU as one of the youngest students on campus, majoring in history with a minor
in English; he participated in Sigma Chi fraternity and the Corps of Cadets and served as
company commander his senior year; and
WHEREAS, upon graduation, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the
United States Army Field Artillery and was deployed to Korea in the fall of 1952, serving
as forward observer; in effect, he was the eyes and ears of the commander for the 39th Field
Artillery Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment of the Third Infantry Division; and
WHEREAS, John participated in the Battle of Outpost Harry, one of the last major
engagements of the Korean War, and for his service and unrelenting fire support which
saved countless lives and played a significant role in the U.S. and Greek forces retaining
control of this critical outpost, John was awarded the Bronze Star for his acts of valor in
combat; and
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WHEREAS, following the war, John attended LSU Law School where he served as
student body president and was inducted into the school's hall of fame; and
WHEREAS, in 1958, John married Dixie Nell Yates, with whom he shared nearly
sixty years of marriage until her passing in 2016, and together they raised three sons, Whit,
Gardner, and Lee, in Bogalusa, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, as part of his legal career, John served as chief prosecutor for
Washington Parish and was proud to be a small town lawyer, maintaining a civil practice
that included litigation, real estate, successions, and wills, and John, alongside his law
partner and staff, became a cornerstone of the legal community; and
WHEREAS, in 2016, after practicing law for nearly sixty years, John retired from
the profession, to pursue other passions and ultimately became a champion watermelon
grower, winning grand champion awards at the state watermelon festival in Farmerville and
sharing his harvest with the community; and
WHEREAS, John was an active contributor to the Bogalusa community, receiving
numerous honors including "Citizen of the Year" and serving as Grand Marshal of the 2023
Washington Parish Watermelon Festival parade and the 2026 Krewe of MCCA parade,
where it was said that he enjoyed, even more than participating in the parades, towing the
floats with his John Deere tractor, another one of his varied passions; and
WHEREAS, he was a devoted member of Elizabeth Sullivan Memorial United
Methodist Church, Mill Town Players, the Rotary Club, the American Legion, and an
honorary member of the Forty and Eight; and
WHEREAS, in 2014, as part of the city of Bogalusa's one hundredth anniversary,
John authored a three hundred-page book entitled Bogalusa, the City that Refused to Die,
reflecting his deep love for his community; and
WHEREAS, after the passing of his wife, Dixie, John married Martha Moak, and
they spent their golden years visiting friends, traveling, attending Sun Methodist Church, and
enjoying time with family; and
WHEREAS, John was preceded in death by his wife, Dixie Yates Gallaspy; his
parents, Francis Norman Gallaspy, Hazel Weeks Gallaspy, and Mary Leigh Gallaspy; his
brother, Jerry Weeks Gallaspy; and his cousin and close friend, Mary Rives Gallaspy; and
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WHEREAS, John is survived by his three sons, John Whithurst Gallaspy, Gardner
Weeks Gallaspy, and Leland Redding Gallaspy; eight grandchildren; and his sisters,
Kathleen Myers and Virginia Garlington; and
WHEREAS, John Norman Gallaspy lived a life of service, dedication, and quiet
distinction, leaving a lasting legacy upon his family, his profession, his community, and the
state of Louisiana.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
express its deepest condolences upon the death of John Norman Gallaspy and does hereby
recognize his life of service and many contributions to the state of Louisiana and the
community of Bogalusa.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
family of John Norman Gallaspy.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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