H.R. No. 78
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Harold Lester Crawford, of Abilene,
1-2 on January 6, 1995, at the age of 77, has brought a great loss to
1-3 the many friends and relatives of this distinguished Texas
1-4 businessman and civic leader; and
1-5 WHEREAS, A graduate of Baylor University, Mr. Crawford began
1-6 his distinguished career in business as a tire salesman with
1-7 Montgomery Ward before embarking on a deeply rewarding 23-year
1-8 career with Firestone Tire and Rubber Company; and
1-9 WHEREAS, Widely respected by colleagues and supervisors for
1-10 his hard work, dedication, and professionalism, he received several
1-11 promotions and worked his way up the corporate ladder to become a
1-12 district manager; and
1-13 WHEREAS, In 1964, he joined with a partner to purchase one of
1-14 the company's local dealerships in Abilene; under the pair's
1-15 inspired leadership the enterprise flourished and in eight years it
1-16 had grown to encompass 23 stores, making it the largest Firestone
1-17 dealership in the world; and
1-18 WHEREAS, Mr. Crawford's unswerving commitment to customer
1-19 service and his keen business acumen helped the business to
1-20 continue to thrive; when the partners sold their enterprise back to
1-21 Firestone in 1987, the number of stores they had owned more than
1-22 tripled to 91; and
1-23 WHEREAS, Well respected by colleagues throughout his chosen
1-24 profession, he also made substantial contributions to the business
2-1 community through his leadership efforts with the Abilene Chamber
2-2 of Commerce and the Abilene Downtown Association; he also offered
2-3 his valued insight as a board member of McMurry University, First
2-4 Abilene Bankshares, First Security Savings, Abilene Aero, Chaparral
2-5 Airlines, and Hankamer School of Business at Baylor; and
2-6 WHEREAS, Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Crawford
2-7 maintained close ties to the Abilene community and generously gave
2-8 his time, talents, resources, and energies to the benefit of
2-9 several worthy organizations, including the Hendrick Medical Center
2-10 Foundation, West Central Texas Municipal Water District, the YWCA,
2-11 the Salvation Army, Disability Resources, Business Aid, and the
2-12 United Way, which honored him with its Volunteer Service Award in
2-13 recognition of his outstanding contributions; and
2-14 WHEREAS, A devoutly religious man, he was guided throughout
2-15 life's endeavors by an abiding religious faith, which he eloquently
2-16 expressed as a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, where
2-17 he also served as a member of the board of directors; and
2-18 WHEREAS, Mr. Crawford was a man of great vision who dedicated
2-19 much of his life to serving the needs of his community; though his
2-20 special presence will be missed by all who knew him, his spirit
2-21 will surely live on in the hearts and minds of the many people
2-22 whose lives were touched by this exceptional gentleman; now,
2-23 therefore, be it
2-24 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
2-25 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Harold Lester
2-26 Crawford and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family:
2-27 to his beloved wife of 55 years, Pat Neff Parker Crawford; to his
3-1 daughter, LuRuth Evily; to his three sons, Charles Crawford, Joe
3-2 Crawford, and John Crawford; to his sister, Leona Rankin; to his
3-3 two brothers, Warren Crawford, and Charles Crawford; to his
3-4 grandchildren; and to his many other friends and relatives; and, be
3-5 it further
3-6 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-7 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
3-8 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-9 Harold Lester Crawford.