JEFFERSON CITY — On April 14, the Missouri Senate 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 presented to the family. Family members will be invited to a reception immediately following the ceremony.

From our legislative area, we will be honoring six former members. Each one has left a legacy behind, and we will convey our respect to that service on behalf of the Senate and the entire state.

John E. Downs

1917 – 2003

34th Senate District (1961-1970)

John E. Downs served the people of the 34th District (Buchanan, Caldwell, Carroll, Clinton and DeKalb counties). Born in St. Joseph, he received his education from St. Joseph schools and the University of Missouri, where he earned his law degree. Senator Downs was a practicing attorney and senior partner. He was assistant city counselor for St. Joseph; group attorney for the Security and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C.; and a two-term prosecuting attorney of Buchanan County. During World War II, Sen. Downs served as a fighter pilot in the Marine Corps in the Southwest Pacific, where he received the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1956. Senator Downs was elected to the Senate in 1960, and re-elected in 1962 and 1966 without opposition. (Democrat)

William Kelso Journey

1915 – 2002

31st Senate District (1957-1960)

William Kelso Journey served the people of the 31st District (Bates, Cass, Henry, Johnson, St. Clair and Vernon counties). Born in Calhoun, he received his education from Johnson County public schools; Central Missouri State College in Warrensburg; University of Colorado in Boulder; and graduated from the University of Missouri School of Law with a law degree. During World War II, Sen. Journey served in the U.S. Navy as a personnel officer, night and flying fighter director, and contract termination negotiating and finance officer from 1942-1946. He then served as a Lt. Commander in NRA, VA-882 in the Naval Air Station in Olathe, Kansas. In 1940, he began to practice law in Clinton, where he resided and farmed. Senator Journey was elected and served as prosecuting attorney of Henry County for 10 years. In 1954, he was elected to the House of Representatives. In 1956, Sen. Journey was elected to the Senate. (Democrat)

George H. Miller

1907 – 1987

15th Senate District (1941-1944)

George H. Miller served the people of the 15th District (Benton, Hickory, Pettis and Saline counties). Born in Polk County, he received his education from Urbana and Bolivar high schools; Southwest Baptist College; and Southwest Missouri State Teachers College. Senator Miller taught in the public schools of Hickory and Polk counties for six years. He was an attorney and practiced law in Sedalia. Senator Miller served two terms as prosecuting attorney of Hickory County from 1937-1940. He was elected to the Senate in 1940, and served as Republican Floor Leader during the 62nd General Assembly. (Republican)

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, as well as several civic and fraternal organizations. He served as 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. In 1970, Sen. Skelton was elected to the Senate and re-elected in 1974. (Democrat)

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, Sen. 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, Sen. Vanlandingham served as Majority Floor Leader. (Democrat)

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 law 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. (Democrat)

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, via email at tspieler@senate.mo.gov, or call (573)-751-3766 for more information.

As always, please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at 866-277-0882 (toll-free) or 573-751-2272, or by fax at 573-526-7381.