A concurrent RESOLUTION

 

TO HONOR AND RECOGNIZE F. BAXTER BEESON OF MARION COUNTY ON THE OCCASION OF HIS EIGHTY-FIFTH BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED HEALTH AND HAPPINESS IN THE YEARS TO COME.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly are delighted to learn that F. Baxter Beeson of Marion County will soon celebrate his eighty-fifth birthday; and

 

Whereas, born on August 6, 1941, in the Spring Branch Community of Marion County, Baxter was the youngest of five children born to Emory Andrew Beeson Jr. and Julia Carol Herring Beeson; and

 

Whereas, he grew up in the Spring Branch community, where he was raised among closely connected farming families and learned the value of hard work at an early age by working alongside his parents and siblings. His upbringing took place in a family with deep farming roots in Marion County and was shaped by everyday life in a simpler time; and

 

Whereas, Baxter attended Marion County public schools and graduated from Marion High School as part of the Class of 1959. Prepared to attend Clemson University, he had a last-minute change of heart and attended Newberry College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics in 1963 and made his mark on campus, forming lifelong friendships along the way; and

 

Whereas, after completing his education, Baxter returned to Marion County to begin a twenty-eight-year farming career, continuing his family's long agricultural tradition, before retiring in 1991 and beginning a second career as an agent with New York Life, where he earned numerous sales awards and established a reputation for dedication and service; and

 

Whereas, on December 17, 1965, he married Franbeth Eskridge, and together they were blessed with a loving family that includes three children and their families; and

 

Whereas, outside of his professional life, Baxter has long enjoyed sports and is a devoted follower of the Boston Red Sox, the Green Bay Packers, and the South Carolina Gamecocks. His enthusiasm for sports has taken him far from home, including attending the 1975 World Series to watch his beloved Boston Red Sox compete on baseball's biggest stage and making a one-day round trip to South Bend, Indiana, to watch USC defeat Notre Dame in 1984, a season during which he attended every Gamecock football game. He has held the same seats at Williams-Brice Stadium for more than fifty years, where sharing his love of Gamecock football with friends and family through victories and defeats alike. Despite holding those seats for decades, he is often found pacing the stadium rather than sitting in them; and

 

Whereas, he is an active member of Marion Baptist Church, maintaining strong ties to his faith, his community, and the traditions that shaped his life. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

 

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and honor Baxter Beeson of Marion County on the occasion of his eighty-fifth birthday and wish him continued health, happiness, and many more years of blessings.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to F. Baxter Beeson.

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