H.R. No. 670 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives joins the 1-2 citizens of Pasadena in mourning the loss of prominent civic and 1-3 political leader Fred Ernest Gray, who died March 22, 1995, at the 1-4 age of 83; and 1-5 WHEREAS, A native Texan, he was born September 11, 1911, in 1-6 Katy; he married Isabel Miller of Weimar, Texas, on February 23, 1-7 1939, and together they made a home and raised a family; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Mr. Gray was an exemplary gentleman and was highly 1-9 respected for his dedication to his company; he worked for the 1-10 Missouri Pacific Railroad for 18 years as chief clerk, as district 1-11 solicitor in North Carolina, and as an escort for troops and 1-12 prisoners of war during World War II; and 1-13 WHEREAS, After he left the Missouri Pacific Railroad, he 1-14 joined Diamond Shamrock in Houston and was the southeast regional 1-15 personnel director for 28 years; and 1-16 WHEREAS, After Mr. Gray retired from Diamond Shamrock, this 1-17 highly esteemed businessman opened Gray and Gray Realty and was 1-18 still working there at the time of his death; and 1-19 WHEREAS, A natural community leader, Mr. Gray was a member of 1-20 the Pasadena Rotary Club and possessed a perfect attendance record 1-21 for 41 years; he was president of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, 1-22 a life member of the Texas Manufacturers Association, and a century 1-23 member of the Boy Scouts of America; and 1-24 WHEREAS, A man whose family roots ran deep, he was a member 2-1 of the Sons of the American Revolution; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Often remembered as "Mr. Republican" of Pasadena, 2-3 Mr. Gray could recall being one of only five known professed 2-4 Republicans in the community and had worked on every presidential, 2-5 gubernatorial, and senate race since 1948; he was equally devoted 2-6 to helping out in any local races for sheriff through mayor; a 2-7 member of the State Republican Executive Committee for 16 years, 2-8 Mr. Gray was highly regarded for his perceptive insights into Texas 2-9 politics; and 2-10 WHEREAS, This meritorious Texan's varied and notable 2-11 achievements greatly contributed to the growth and progress of his 2-12 city, county, and state, and he will be keenly missed; now, 2-13 therefore, be it 2-14 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-15 Legislature hereby extend sincere condolences to the members of his 2-16 family: to his wife, Isabel "Izzy" Gray; to his son, Darrell Kim 2-17 Gray; to his daughter, Annette Kallnoski; and to his five 2-18 grandchildren; and, be it further 2-19 RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared 2-20 for the members of his family and that when the Texas House of 2-21 Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Fred 2-22 Ernest Gray.