Introduced Version
SENATE RESOLUTION No. ___
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED RESOLUTION
A SENATE RESOLUTION memorializing Jack Wilson.
FORD J.D.
, re ad first time and referred to Committee on
2021 DR 3843/DI AM
 Introduced
First Regular Session 122nd General Assembly (2021)
SENATE RESOLUTION ____
MADAM PRESIDENT:
I offer the following resolution and move its adoption:
1 A SENATE RESOLUTION memorializing Jack Wilson.
2 Whereas, Private First Class Jack Wilson of Indianapolis,
3 Indiana passed away on January 18, 2021 at the age of 92;
4 Whereas, Jack was born on May 2, 1928 in Indianapolis to
5 Ruth and Carl Wilson, and grew up in a loving home with his
6 mother, stepfather, and four siblings;
7 Whereas, At fourteen years old, Jack came out as gay to his
8 family and was accepted and supported warmly, remembering
9 this experience as "from that point on, I had a great life";
10 Whereas, In 1950, Jack joined the army and was quickly
11 promoted to company clerk, and on his 23rd birthday he was
12 deployed to Korea;
13 Whereas, Four months after stepping foot in Korea, Jack
14 was injured by an explosion, losing several teeth and the
15 hearing in his right ear;
16 Whereas, While recovering from his injuries in a hospital
17 in Wisconsin, Jack met his life partner, Marvin Lowner, and it
2021 DR 3843/DI AM
 2
1 was love at first sight;
2 Whereas, Due to his injuries, Jack was discharged from the
3 army and, with the encouragement and support of his family,
4 began a new life in Chicago with Marvin;
5 Whereas, In Chicago, Jack and Marvin lived together and
6 worked in the same office only a few desks apart for thirty
7 years;
8 Whereas, Eventually, Marvin wanted to move closer to
9 family, and the two of them moved back to Indianapolis;
10 Whereas, Unfortunately, tragedy struck while moving their
11 furniture into their new Indianapolis apartment: Marvin fell,
12 broke his hip, and never returned home from the hospital;
13 Whereas, On October 4, 2009, Marvin passed away at the
14 age of 92, and following this tragic loss, Jack joined the
15 Indianapolis chapter of AVER, American Veterans for Equal
16 Rights, where he was a proud member of their color guard
17 team and the oldest member of the group;
18 Whereas, Remembering the discrimination he and Marvin
19 faced when wanting to get a mortgage for their home and never
20 being able to marry, Jack fought valiantly against an Indiana
21 Constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage;
22 Whereas, Jack was also a lifetime member of V.F.W. post
23 #5864 in Greenwood, Indiana, as well as The American Legion
24 Post #0777, both of which will miss his presence sorely;
25 Whereas, Jack is survived by several nieces, nephews,
26 great-nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews;
27 and
28 Whereas, Jack's service to his country, his partner, and his
29 family leave a bold legacy of faithfulness, bravery, and
2021 DR 3843/DI AM
 3
1 acceptance, and he will be missed by all who knew him:
2 Therefore,
3 Be it resolved by the Senate of the
4 General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
5 SECTION 1. The Indiana Senate Memorializes Jack
6 Wilson.
7 SECTION 1. The Secretary of the Senate is hereby directed
8 to transmit copies of this Resolution to the Indiana chapter of
9 the American Veterans for Equal Rights, and to Flanner
10 Buchanan Funeral home located at Floral Park.
2021 DR 3843/DI AM