MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2018 1st Extraordinary Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Seymour

Senate Resolution 6

A RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE CONDOLENCES OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE TO THE BEREAVED FAMILY OF GOODWILL AMBASSADOR PAUL OTT CARRUTH OF LAKE DIXIE SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI, WHO REACHED MILLIONS OF STUDENTS AND CITIZENS WITH HIS MESSAGE ABOUT WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND FAMILY VALUES.

     WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of Mississippi Musician, Songwriter, Outdoorsman and Conservationist Paul Ott Carruth on July 1, 2018, at the age of 83.  If there were an All-Mississippi Team composed of people who loved the state more than others, you would have to make a place for Paul Ott Carruth.  Carruth inspired many audiences with his songs and stories about the country, dogs, the American Flag and the Old South, but particularly Mississippi; and

     WHEREAS, the Carruths have been considered "country royalty" in Mississippi for years.  Paul married former Miss Louisiana, Alberta Louise Futch, on December 27, 1959.  Mary Ann Mobley, the reigning Miss America at the time, sang at the wedding.  Alberta died of cancer in 1983.  Carruth had all the makings of a country music star.  "I urged Paul to move to Nashville," said Fred Foster in a 2007 interview with The Clarion Ledger.  Foster is a longtime Nashville Record Producer who helped launch the careers of Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and Roy Orbison.  "Paul carved himself a comfortable niche in Mississippi, so who's to say he made the wrong move"; and

     WHEREAS, Carruth chose life in Lake Dixie Springs to live and raise his children.  He made a living talking and singing about the outdoors, performing up to 100 shows a year at conventions, schools and churches across the Southeast.  Paul Ott was a man who built his entire life around love for his family, the Mississippi outdoors, and the cultural arts.  He was a tremendous promoter for the Southwest corner of Mississippi and the whole state; and

     WHEREAS, Carruth became an accomplished Musician while in the Army at Fort Hood, Texas.  He had always loved the outdoors.  In the late 1960s, he noticed that many of the hardwood trees in Mississippi were being cut down, leaving only pines.  He started writing songs about it and singing them on his TV Show in Hattiesburg.  One of the tunes was named "The Trees Are Gone."  He eventually met with officials of the U.S. Forestry Service and wrote them a song: "Plant a Tree."  That is when he learned that you can bring industry and conservation people together through music and make a living by combining his love of music and the outdoors; and

     WHEREAS, the Mississippi Game and Fish Commission gave Paul a weekly TV show "Mississippi Outdoors" and a radio show, which changed names years later to "Listen to the Eagle," taking the name of a patriotic song that became Carruth's calling card; and

     WHEREAS, Carruth was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007.  He joked about the odds, one in 100,000 men get breast cancer.  He beat the disease and then spoke around the country, helping educate the nation that men get breast cancer, too.  "God performed a miracle in me," Carruth said in 2007.  "And the fact that He used breast cancer to do it is not for me to question"; and

     WHEREAS, Paul Ott was born September 25, 1934, in McComb, Mississippi.  As a seven-year-old child, Paul Ott was baptized at First Baptist Church Summit where he continued to be a proud member for 76 years.  After graduating from Summit High School, he attended Southwest Mississippi Community College, and The University of Mississippi.  Paul completed his degree in education at the University of Southern Mississippi.  After completing his education, he served his country in the United States Army.  He and his young family then lived in Hattiesburg while he taught physical education and served as the Director of the YMCA; and

     WHEREAS, his passion for music and the outdoors began to drive him, and he realized the need that America had for protecting its environment.  Knowing how the economy must thrive and continue to grow, he realized there must be some kind of harmony between the two and what better place to start than educating our citizens.  He returned home to Pike County where his love for the outdoors started and launched one of the most powerful educational programs Mississippi and other states across the country have known and grown to love over the last 50 years; and

     WHEREAS, Paul Ott reached over one million students from kindergarten to the college level, spreading his message about wildlife conservation and his love for "God, Family and Country."  He performed at all 50 state-level conventions in agriculture, wildlife and environmental conferences, and for three Presidents of the United States and six Joint Sessions of Legislature across the country.  He performed at all 50 State Governor's Wildlife Conservation Awards Conventions in addition to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, Canada, Mexico and South Africa.  He wrote, produced and performed ten different promotions for each of the 50 states, Wildlife Federations and also the National Wildlife Federation of Washington, D.C.  He led the fight as President of the Mississippi Wildlife Federation to help save the last 40 Mississippi Sandhill Cranes from extinction in the late 1970s.  His songs, TV, radio, newspaper interviews and personal appearances carried the message.  His fighting spirit continued as he spurred a Grassroots Campaign across the country for prayer at athletic events in our schools.  He received numerous local, state and national awards for his dedication to wildlife conservation, God, family and country.  He was chosen Honorary President of the Parent-Teacher Association for the State of Mississippi, received the Arbor Day Award for his unfailing effort to preserve wildlife and natural habitat, and twice received the Conservation/Communication Award from the State of Mississippi.  He received the National Garden Clubs of America Conservation Award, the Honorary Merit of Excellence Award from the Boy Scouts of America, and was the recipient of the coveted Southeast Tourism Award.  He was the Chairman of the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center, served on the Advisory Board for the Mississippi School of the Arts, and was proclaimed the Goodwill Ambassador for the State of Mississippi by the House of Representatives.  He also served on the Advisory Board at Southwest Mississippi Community College and was named Alumnus of the Year.  His first album, "Message to Mankind," has been placed in the Smithsonian Institute for the message it brings to the nation concerning our environment; and

     WHEREAS, Paul Ott Carruth was so incredibly proud of his family!  Paul is survived by his wife, Lynda Newberry Carruth, of Summit; five children; 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.  His children include Paul Ott Carruth, Jr., (Lindsey); Carla Carruth Tigner (Bill); Russ Blair Carruth (Melanie); Bert Holland Carruth (Gina); and Jeff Thomas Blair Carruth (Missy).  He was super proud of his grandchildren:  Courtney Carruth Nix (Joel), Drew Holland Tigner, Callie Carruth Russell (Brandon), Mary Claire Carruth, Carr Tigner, Luke Davis, Allie Carruth, Cade Carruth, Hastings Carruth, Emma Grace Carruth, Brewer Carruth, Davis Carruth, and Carlyle Carruth; and two great-grandchildren, Junior Nix and Mabrey Nix.  He is also survived by two brothers, Benson Holland and Steve Holland; and sister, Ann Carruth Jackson.  He was preceded in death by his first wife, Alberta Futch Carruth, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A.R. Carruth; and

     WHEREAS, while Paul Ott Carruth received numerous accolades for his service to our city, state, and nation, he had no prouder accomplishment than having the honor of spreading the message of his Lord.  Our state has lost one of its most able, loyal and estimable citizens and we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of this most public-spirited citizen of Mississippi:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby extend the condolences of the Mississippi Senate to the bereaved family of Goodwill Ambassador Paul Ott Carruth of Lake Dixie Springs, Mississippi, who reached millions of students and citizens with his message about wildlife conservation and family values.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Paul Ott Carruth, transmitted to the Governor of the State of Mississippi and the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.