HOUSE MEMORIAL 9

55th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2021

INTRODUCED BY

Randall Pettigrew and Brian Egolf

 

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

REMEMBERING JOHNNY COPE AND RECOGNIZING HIS COMMUNITY SERVICE.

 

     WHEREAS, Johnny Cope, a long-time New Mexico businessman, was born in Midland, Texas, and his family moved to Hobbs, New Mexico, when he was an infant; and

      WHEREAS, Johnny died on December 13, 2020 in Palm Desert, California; and

      WHEREAS, in 1966, Johnny graduated from Hobbs high school, where he played varsity baseball, and later earned a bachelor's degree in finance and accounting from eastern New Mexico university; and

      WHEREAS, after college, Johnny initially wanted to pursue banking, but a prominent Hobbs family offered him a finance job in their oilfield pipe and supply company; and

     WHEREAS, Johnny took the position and within a few years was co-owner of Lasco construction, buying out his partners in 1978 and a few years later establishing Hobbs rental, an oilfield service company; and

     WHEREAS, these companies were the beginning of numerous eclectic business ventures that spanned over forty years; and

     WHEREAS, in addition to the construction business, during his business career Johnny became involved as a partner and investor in numerous oil and gas investments, oil and gas service companies, security companies and manufacturing companies, employing hundreds of people throughout the country; and

     WHEREAS, Johnny's goal was to make Lea county a diverse economy during oil downturns; and

     WHEREAS, Johnny's philanthropy and generous spirit spanned donations from small to large projects, such as local youth sports and the university of New Mexico and Texas tech university athletics; and

     WHEREAS, Sam Cobb, mayor of Hobbs, New Mexico, noted that Johnny's companies and investments contributed to the economic health of the community by providing hundreds of jobs, and his philanthropy benefited many institutions and organizations; and

     WHEREAS, among the many projects in which he was involved was the development and launch of the Johnny and Marty Cope learning center in Ruidoso, which connects youth to the Smithsonian institution; and

     WHEREAS, Johnny was involved in the creation of the CORE center of recreational excellence, a new golf course and the Zia crossing housing project; and

     WHEREAS, Johnny is also credited with helping to land a number of Lea county economic projects, including the URENCO USA enrichment plant, the Lea county correctional facility and the Zia Park casino, hotel and racetrack; and

     WHEREAS, Johnny's public service included sitting on the boards of the New Mexico community assistance council under Governor Toney Anaya and the state transportation commission under Governor Bill Richardson; and

     WHEREAS, Johnny was a member of the New Mexico amigos and the boys club of Hobbs and Lea county, was active in united way of Lea county and was a founding member and served as chairman of the Eddy-Lea energy alliance; and

     WHEREAS, Johnny valued loyalty and friendship above all and gave anyone the opportunity to befriend him; and

     WHEREAS, Johnny once stated that he "started with zero and I want this country perceived that if you can dream it, you can make it happen. That's what America is about"; and

      WHEREAS, Governor Richardson lauded Johnny as a true New Mexican champion who will be sorely missed; and

     WHEREAS, Johnny was a lifetime member of the first Presbyterian church in Hobbs; and

     WHEREAS, Johnny is survived by his brother, Tommy; his daughter, Kyleigh; his stepchildren, Sharron and J.R.; his nephews, Johnny and Zack; and nine grandsons;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that Johnny Cope be remembered and recognized for his community service; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the family of Johnny Cope.

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