1 SJR50
2 210470-2
3 By Senator Allen
4 RFD:
5 First Read: 03-MAR-21
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 SJR50
1 SJR50
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4 ENROLLED, SJR50,
5 MOURNING THE DEATH OF DR. DONALD J. SALLS.
6
7 WHEREAS, it is with profound sorrow that we note the
8 death of Dr. Donald J. Salls of Fairhope, Alabama, on January
9 2, 2021, at the age of 101 years; he was the oldest living
10 University of Alabama football letterman; his passing leaves a
11 void in the lives of his loving family, many friends, and the
12 entire community, where he was highly regarded; and
13 WHEREAS, Dr. Salls was a native of White Plains, New
14 York; he was awarded a scholarship to The University of
15 Alabama in 1938; he played his first game as a sophomore in
16 1940 and quickly returned an interception for a 76-yard
17 touchdown; he lettered at fullback and linebacker in 1941 and
18 1942, scoring eight touchdowns, including the only touchdown
19 in a 9-2 victory over Tennessee in 1942; he helped the Crimson
20 Tide to a 29-21 win in the January 1, 1942, Cotton Bowl and a
21 37-21 victory over Boston College in the January 1, 1943,
22 Orange Bowl; and
23 WHEREAS, following the Orange Bowl game, he joined
24 the U.S. Army and bravely served his country during World War
25 II; he was wounded in France on September 19, 1944; he was
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1 awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster,
2 the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three
3 battle stars, as well as numerous other medals; he was
4 promoted to captain and was honorably discharged in 1945; and
5 WHEREAS, Dr. Salls returned to The University of
6 Alabama in 1945 and earned his Master's degree in 1946; he was
7 hired as head football coach at Jacksonville State University,
8 where he coached for 19 years and posted a 95-57-11 record;
9 during his tenure, JSU won seven conference championships and
10 played in four bowl games; following his retirement from
11 football, he earned a doctorate degree from New York
12 University and became a professor at Jacksonville State
13 University; he continued teaching for 18 years; and
14 WHEREAS, Jacksonville State University awarded him
15 the title of Professor Emeritus and named a building, Salls
16 Hall, in his honor in 1969; he was inducted into the Alabama
17 Sports Hall of Fame, the Westchester County New York Hall of
18 Fame, the Football Foundation Hall of Fame, the Calhoun County
19 Sports Hall of Fame, and the Jacksonville State University
20 Athletic Hall of Fame; he was awarded The University of
21 Alabama National Alumni Association's Paul W. Bryant Alumni
22 Athlete Award in 2003 and received the Johnny Vaught Lifetime
23 Achievement Award from the All-American Football Foundation
24 Hall of Fame; and
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1 WHEREAS, in 1962, he pioneered a national program of
2 isometric exercises known as XSXIM (Ten Static Exercises in
3 One Minute) which was widely adopted; in 1995, he authored a
4 book entitled, "Live and Love to Be 100" which promoted
5 attitude, vitamins, and exercise as the way to a better and
6 longer life; he was a former long-time resident of Tuscaloosa
7 and member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish; and
8 WHEREAS, Dr. Salls was predeceased by his parents,
9 Harry Briggs Salls and Mary Veronica McCormick; and his first
10 wife, Margaret Ruger Salls; his survivors include his beloved
11 wife of 33 years, Diane Gainey Gatewood Salls; daughters,
12 Donna Rankin (Carlton), Trisha Conyers (Eddie), and Cherie
13 Schmitz (Scott); son, Donald J. Salls, Jr. (Becky),
14 stepchildren, Tracy Gatewood and Mark Gatewood (Suzy);
15 grandchildren, Joseph Salls, George Elliot Salls, Adam Salls,
16 Wright Gatewood, Celia Gatewood, Luke Gatewood, Justin
17 Williams, Hayden Griess, and Beau Griess; great-grandchildren,
18 Jackson Williams, Griffin Williams, and Salls Williams; and a
19 host of other relatives and many friends; although his
20 presence will be greatly missed, the memories of him will be
21 cherished in the hearts of all who knew and loved him; now
22 therefore,
23 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH
24 HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That the death of Dr. Donald J.
25 Salls is recorded with deep sadness, and this resolution is
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1 offered in tribute to his life and with heartfelt sympathy to
2 his family.
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4 President and Presiding Officer of the Senate
5
6 Speaker of the House of Representatives
7 SJR50
8 Senate 03-MAR-21
9 I hereby certify that the within Senate Joint Resolution
10 originated in and was adopted by the Senate.
11
12 Patrick Harris,
13 Secretary.
14
15
16
17 House of Representatives
18 Adopted: 11-MAR-21
19
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21 By: Senator Allen
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