H.R. No. 696
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Frank Bruce Smith on April 17, 1995,
1-2 at the age of 80, has brought a great loss to the many friends and
1-3 relatives of this distinguished and public-spirited Texan; and
1-4 WHEREAS, The son of Dan and Eula Smith, he was born January
1-5 15, 1915, in Henderson County and earned a bachelor of arts degree
1-6 from Draughn's Business College in Dallas in 1937; and
1-7 WHEREAS, A respected rancher and businessman, he served with
1-8 the Trinity River Authority for 28 years, including terms as
1-9 chairman of the board, president, and vice president, and he was
1-10 the only member to be appointed by five Texas governors; and
1-11 WHEREAS, Mr. Smith was an ardent supporter of several
1-12 agricultural and ranching interests, including the Henderson
1-13 County Fair Board, the Henderson County Agriculture Board, the
1-14 Southwestern Cattle Raiser's Association, and the Wildlife
1-15 Preserve, and he continued to positively affect issues vital to the
1-16 ranching industry through his attendance at Cattleman's conventions
1-17 throughout the world; and
1-18 WHEREAS, He was honored for his many outstanding
1-19 contributions when Texas A&M University used his Big 4 Cattle
1-20 Company brand on one of its new agriculture buildings; and
1-21 WHEREAS, This distinguished businessman contributed his time
1-22 and expertise as an esteemed member of several professional
1-23 organizations, including the Hard Hat Club, the East Texas
1-24 Petroleum Landman Association, and the Texas Independent Royalty
2-1 Owner's Association; and
2-2 WHEREAS, He further worked toward the betterment of his
2-3 community as a board member of the First National Bank of Athens
2-4 and as a member of the Lion's Club; deeply committed to education
2-5 issues as well, he served with distinction on the Malakoff School
2-6 Board and on the board of trustees for Trinity Valley Community
2-7 College; and
2-8 WHEREAS, Mr. Smith also gave generously of his time, talents,
2-9 and resources to the benefit of the Henderson County Historical
2-10 Association, the Henderson County Library, and the East Texas
2-11 Medical Center; and
2-12 WHEREAS, The father of two children, he worked tirelessly to
2-13 enhance the lives of the youths in his community as an active
2-14 supporter of the Boy Scouts, and he was recognized for his abiding
2-15 commitment to the area's youngsters with the Optimist Club's Friend
2-16 of Youth Award; and
2-17 WHEREAS, Mr. Smith will be remembered as a gentleman who
2-18 greatly valued the many friendships he had formed throughout the
2-19 years as a 32nd degree Mason and as a longtime member of Tool
2-20 Providence Baptist Church; and
2-21 WHEREAS, A man of great vision, Mr. Smith devoted much of his
2-22 life to serving the needs of his community; though his special
2-23 presence will be deeply missed by all who knew him, his unique
2-24 spirit will surely live on in the hearts of the many people whose
2-25 lives he touched; now, therefore, be it
2-26 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
2-27 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Frank Bruce Smith and
3-1 extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his
3-2 beloved wife, Willie Mae Landrum Smith; to his daughters and
3-3 sons-in-law, Carolyn Sue and Kenneth Davis, and Janice Ann and
3-4 Ronnie Brown; to his granddaughters, Annsley Carol Brown and Keeley
3-5 Lauren Brown; and to his many other friends and relatives; and, be
3-6 it further
3-7 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-8 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
3-9 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-10 Frank Bruce Smith.