S.C.R. No. 92
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1-1 WHEREAS, The State of Texas lost a distinguished public
1-2 servant, a renowned author and speaker, and a wonderful family man
1-3 with the death of the Honorable Carlos C. Ashley, Sr., of Llano, on
1-4 February 10, 1993; and
1-5 WHEREAS, Since his birth on May 15, 1904, to Mattie Gray
1-6 Ashley and W. A. Ashley on a ranch in San Saba County, Carlos C.
1-7 Ashley, Sr., was the embodiment of the true pioneer heritage which
1-8 has made Texas great; and
1-9 WHEREAS, From that rural upbringing Senator Ashley went on to
1-10 graduate from San Saba High School, Texas Christian University, and
1-11 Cumberland Law School; and
1-12 WHEREAS, While he attended Texas Christian University, the
1-13 many talents of Carlos C. Ashley as a leader, writer, and athlete
1-14 flourished as evidenced by his service as president of the student
1-15 body, sports editor of the student newspaper, letterman on the
1-16 baseball team, and winner of the coveted Bryson Poetry Prize judged
1-17 by the University of Chicago English Department; and
1-18 WHEREAS, His devotion to Texas Christian University did not
1-19 end with his graduation but remained an important part of his life
1-20 forever and included 40 years of loyal service to the school as a
1-21 member of the Texas Christian University Board of Trustees; and
1-22 WHEREAS, Carlos C. Ashley was united in holy matrimony in
1-23 1928 to Cynthia Johnson, a blissful union which would endure in the
2-1 love of a Christian home for 57 years until her death in 1985; and
2-2 WHEREAS, After completing law school Senator Ashley practiced
2-3 law with his father-in-law, J. M. Johnson, in San Saba until his
2-4 election in 1932 as District Attorney; and
2-5 WHEREAS, In 1944 Governor Coke Stevenson appointed him to the
2-6 State Board of Control where he became chairman and served until
2-7 his appointment as First Assistant Attorney General; and
2-8 WHEREAS, In 1948 the voters of State Senatorial District 20,
2-9 comprising Burnet, Lampasas, Llano, San Saba, Travis, and
2-10 Williamson counties elected Carlos C. Ashley to represent them in
2-11 the 51st Legislature; and
2-12 WHEREAS, Carlos C. Ashley served with great distinction as a
2-13 member of the Texas Senate for the next 10 years; and
2-14 WHEREAS, During his tenure in the Texas Senate, Carlos C.
2-15 Ashley was properly recognized for his literary acumen by his
2-16 appointment as Poet Laureate of the State of Texas; and
2-17 WHEREAS, Although Senator Ashley left the Texas Senate in
2-18 1958 he once again answered the call of public service with his
2-19 election as District Attorney of the 33rd Judicial District; and
2-20 WHEREAS, In his later retirement years Senator Ashley
2-21 distinguished himself further as a writer and speaker whose
2-22 published works included "That Spotted Sow and Other Texas Hill
2-23 Country Ballads," "A Front Seat in Heaven," and "The Origin and
2-24 Decline of the Hill Country Razorback"; he further distinguished
2-25 himself as a featured speaker at the First Ranch Heritage Center
3-1 National Cowboy Symposium at Texas Tech University and the Cowboy
3-2 Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada, and as a guest of Johnny Carson
3-3 on "The Tonight Show"; and
3-4 WHEREAS, A fascinating and spellbinding raconteur, Senator
3-5 Ashley delighted in stories of the people of the Texas Hill
3-6 Country, and through his tales he imparted a deep and abiding
3-7 respect for the land and its people; and
3-8 WHEREAS, On the death of Carlos C. Ashley, Sr., his hometown
3-9 newspaper, the Llano News, noted editorially that Carlos C. Ashley,
3-10 Sr., had friends from every age group and every walk of life and
3-11 that the life philosophy of Carlos C. Ashley, Sr., would best be
3-12 summed up in his own words in a passage in his book "That Spotted
3-13 Sow" which read:
3-14 If to frailties of mortals as a critic I'm unkind,
3-15 I'm afraid that old Saint Peter to my virtues may
3-16 be blind.
3-17 But if I love my neighbor and upon my brother wait,
3-18 I kinda think that ticket will pass me through the
3-19 gate; and
3-20 WHEREAS, It is indeed appropriate that the Texas Legislature
3-21 honor the memory of this distinguished public servant, gifted man
3-22 of letters, and beloved Christian family man and pay tribute to his
3-23 life and good works; now, therefore, be it
3-24 RESOLVED, That the 73rd Legislature of the State of Texas
3-25 hereby extend sincere condolences to the members of his
4-1 family: his daughter and son-in-law, Adele Ashley and Jack B.
4-2 Waide; his son and daughter-in-law, Carlos and Jeaneane Ashley; and
4-3 his five grandchildren and one great-grandchild; and, be it further
4-4 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared for the
4-5 members of his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the
4-6 Texas Legislature, and that when the legislature adjourns this day,
4-7 it do so in memory of the Honorable Carlos C. Ashley, Sr.