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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Autry Carl Stephens, a giant of the Permian Basin's |
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oil and gas industry, passed away on August 16, 2024, at the age of |
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86, bringing a great loss to his family and many friends; and |
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WHEREAS, The son of Martin Elmore Stephens and Lila "Hazel" |
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Stephens, Autry Stephens was born in De Leon on March 8, 1938; he |
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grew up on the family farm and earned both his bachelor's and |
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master's degrees in petroleum engineering from The University of |
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Texas at Austin; during his early years with Humble Oil, he was |
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granted a leave of absence to serve in the U.S. Army Corps of |
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Engineers and rose to the rank of first lieutenant; he went on to |
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join First National Bank of Midland as a petroleum engineer and loan |
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officer before becoming a consultant and then an independent oil |
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producer; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Stephens established Endeavor Energy Resources |
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in 2000, and his diligence, determination, and willingness to take |
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bold risks built the company into a multibillion dollar enterprise |
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ranked among the nation's largest private oil producers; dedicated |
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to his employees, he was a caring, generous mentor and celebrated |
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all their achievements; he believed in handshake deals and enjoyed |
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the camaraderie of his profession, especially over a cup of coffee |
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at the Petroleum Club of Midland; under his leadership, Endeavor |
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engaged in extensive philanthropy, helping fund a new volunteer |
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fire station in eastern Midland County and supporting such |
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organizations as Habitat for Humanity and the Museum of the |
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Southwest; moreover, the firm became a founding member of the |
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Permian Strategic Partnership, a group of energy companies united |
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in the goal of improving education, health care, housing, |
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infrastructure, and workforce development; his myriad accolades |
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included a Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Texas Exes and the |
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prestigious Top Hand Award from the Permian Basin Petroleum |
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Association; and |
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WHEREAS, Above all, Mr. Stephens was devoted to his wife, |
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Linda, and their children, Joe and Lyndal; he eventually knew the |
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joy of welcoming two grandchildren into his treasured family, and |
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he delighted in hearing and sharing stories about all their antics |
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and accomplishments; and |
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WHEREAS, Autry Stephens created a legacy that will resonate |
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in the Permian Basin for years to come, and those he left behind |
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will cherish their memories of his warmth, kindness, courage, and |
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wonderfully dry sense of humor; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby pay tribute to the life of Autry Carl Stephens and extend |
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sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his wife, Linda |
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Nagy Stephens; to his children, Joseph Stephens and his wife, |
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Deanna, and Lyndal Stephens Greth and her husband, Richard; to his |
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grandchildren; to his sister, Debra, and her husband, Jack; and to |
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his many other relatives and friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of |
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Autry Stephens. |