On April 14, 2014, the 97th General Assembly will host a Memorial Service for the distinguished former senators who have passed away since May 1987. It will be the first time in nearly 30 years an event like this has been held. Together, with the families of the former senators, we will celebrate the lawmakers’ lives and legacies and remember their dedicated service.
This event serves to honor not only those men and women who served in the upper chamber, but also their family members who gave their love and support to make their relatives’ time in Jefferson City possible. Each former senator will be recognized by a roll call and a rose. Family members will be invited to a reception immediately following the ceremony.
From our area, we will be honoring eight former members. Each one has left a legacy behind, and we will convey our respect to that legacy on behalf of the great state of Missouri.
Omer H. Avery
1900 – 1988
21st Senate District (1957-1972)
Omer H. Avery served the people of the 21st District (Callaway, Cole, Lincoln, Miller, Moniteau, Montgomery and Pike counties). Born in Troy, he graduated from the University of Missouri with Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws degrees. He practiced law in Troy and engaged in farming operations. He served in the infantry during World War I in 1918. During World War II, Senator Avery was in the Judge Advocate General’s Department and spent two years in overseas service in England and France. He was discharged with the rank of major. Senator Avery was elected to the House of Representatives in 1950, and re-elected in 1952 and 1954. He served as Majority Floor Leader in the House and was elected to the Senate in 1956. Senator Avery was re-elected to serve in the Senate in 1960, 1964 and 1968.
Frank Briggs
1894 – 1992
9th Senate District (1933-1944)
Frank P. Briggs served the people of the 9th District (Adair, Macon and Shelby counties). Born in Armstrong, he attended public schools in Armstrong; Central College in Fayette; and graduated from the University of Missouri in 1915. Senator Briggs served as the mayor of Macon for two terms. He was first elected to the Senate in 1932, and re-elected in 1940 for a third term. Senator Briggs was elected to serve as President Pro Tem of the 61st General Assembly by Resolution No. 15. He resigned in 1945 when appointed to U.S. Senate to replace Harry S Truman.
Norman L. Merrell
1924 – 1994
18th Senate District (1971-1994)
Norman L. Merrell served the people of the 18th District (Adair, Audrain, Clark, Knox, Macon, Marion, Monroe, Ralls, Schuyler, Scotland and Shelby counties). Born near Williamstown, he graduated from Culver-Stockton College with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and economics and the University of Colorado in Boulder with a master’s degree in business education. Senator Merrell served three years in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. He was a teacher, principal and superintendent of schools for 21 years. Senator Merrell owned and operated several farms in Lewis County. He was elected to the Senate in 1970 and served as President Pro Tem in the 79th, 80th and 81st General Assemblies.
Ike Skelton
1931 – 2013
28th Senate District (1971-1976)
Ike Skelton served the people of the 28th District (Carroll, Chariton, Lafayette, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Ray and Saline counties). Born in Lexington, Lafayette County, he received his education from Lexington High School; Wentworth Military Academy Junior College; University of Missouri, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1953 and a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1956; and the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Senator Skelton was an attorney and a member of the First Christian Church of Lexington, Phi Beta Kappa, Q.E.B.H., Sigma Chi, Phi Delta Phi, and Alpha Pi Zeta fraternities, Missouri Alumni Association, Lafayette County March of Dimes, Lions Club, Elks Club, Masonic Bodies and Shrine, Boy Scouts, and Sigma Chi Corporation of Missouri. He served as Presidential Elector from the Fourth Congressional District in 1964, prosecuting attorney of Lafayette County from 1957-1960, special assistant attorney general from 1961-1963, chairman of the Lafayette County Central Democratic Committee from 1962-1966, and state legal counsel for the Junior Chamber of Commerce from 1963-1964. In 1970, Senator Skelton was elected to the Senate and re-elected in 1974.
E. Richard Southern
1936 – 2000
18th Senate District (1967-1970)
E. Richard Southern served the people of the 18th District (Audrain, Clark, Knox, Lewis, Marion, Monroe, Putnam, Ralls, Schuyler, Scotland and Shelby counties). Born in Madison, he received his education from Madison public schools; Moberly Junior College; and the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1958 and a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1960. Senator Southern was employed in the Office of Budget and Comptroller from 1957-1958; Office of State Auditor from 1958-1959; and the Sales Use Tax Division within the Department of Revenue from 1959-1961. He also worked as an attorney and partner at law firms in Palmyra, Hannibal and Monroe City. Senator Southern was elected to the House of Representatives to serve Monroe County in 1960 at the age of 24, and re-elected in 1962 and 1964. He was elected to the Senate in 1966, and at the time, served as the youngest senator since 1908. In the 75th General Assembly, Senator Southern served as Majority Caucus Secretary.
George A. Spencer
1906 – 1997
19th Senate District (1953-1960)
George A. Spencer served the people of the 19th District (Boone, Howard, Monroe, Ralls and Randolph counties). Born near Centralia, he attended a rural elementary school; Centralia High School; Rosenthal School of Commerce; and the University of Missouri School of Law where he earned a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1932. Senator Spencer was a lawyer and operated a farm where he resided. He served as Columbia city attorney for three terms; and prosecuting attorney of Boone County for two terms. Senator Spencer was elected to the House of Representatives in 1946, and re-elected in 1948 and 1950. He served during the 64th, 65th and 66th General Assemblies. In 1952, Senator Spencer was elected to the Senate, and re-elected in 1956. He served as Majority Floor Leader in the 69th and 70th General Assemblies.
A. Basey Vanlandingham
1920 – 1990
19th Senate District (1961-1972)
A. Basey Vanlandingham served the people of the 19th District (Adair, Boone, Howard, Macon and Randolph counties). He received his education in rural and public schools in Columbia, and from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Senator Vanlandingham worked as a livestock and grain farmer in Howard and Boone counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1956, and re-elected in 1958. During the 70th General Assembly, Senator Vanlandingham served as Speaker Pro Tem of the House. He was elected to the Senate in 1960, and re-elected in 1964 and 1968. In the 75th General Assembly, Senator Vanlandingham served as Majority Floor Leader.
Warren Welliver
1920 – 2007
19th Senate District (1977-1980)
Warren Welliver served the people of the 19th District (Boone, Callaway, Howard and Randolph counties). Born in Butler, he held a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a Bachelor of Laws (Doctor of Jurisprudence) degree from the University of Missouri Law School. Senator Welliver served as lieutenant in the Navy Air Corps during World War II. He was a senior partner at a law firm in Columbia. Senator Welliver was elected to the Senate in 1976. He resigned in 1979 to accept an appointment to the Missouri Supreme Court.
To read more about each senator who will be remembered, visit the Senate Memorial page at www.senate.mo.gov and click on the Senate Memorial link.
If you are a relative who would like to attend, please contact the Secretary of the Senate, Terry Spieler [tspieler@senate.mo.gov; (573)-751-3766], for more information.
Also, if you have any questions about legislation, please contact my office. |
