H.R. No. 768 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Dr. Thomas Clark Graves on March 26, 1-2 1995, at the age of 84, has brought a great loss to the many 1-3 friends and relatives of this distinguished and public-spirited 1-4 Texan; and 1-5 WHEREAS, The son of Tom Brown and Amber Sullivan Graves, Dr. 1-6 Graves was born September 7, 1910, in Center City; he graduated 1-7 from Goldthwaite High School and went on to receive his predental 1-8 training from The University of Texas; and 1-9 WHEREAS, After teaching for three years at Mt. Olive School, 1-10 he continued his education at Baylor Dental College; he began his 1-11 dentistry practice in Goldthwaite in 1936, embarking on an 1-12 outstanding 56-year career in his native Mills County; and 1-13 WHEREAS, He married the lovely Minnie Cody in 1935 in the 1-14 community of Mt. Olive, and the happy couple enjoyed a deeply 1-15 fulfilling 60-year union that was blessed with the births of two 1-16 fine children; over the years their close-knit family has grown to 1-17 include five beloved grandchildren; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Deeply committed to public service, Dr. Graves 1-19 served his fellow citizens with integrity and distinction as a 1-20 member of both the Goldthwaite City Council and the local school 1-21 board; a man of boundless energy and enthusiasm, he further worked 1-22 for the betterment of the community as a member of the Lions Club 1-23 and addressed vital financial issues as a board member of Mills 1-24 County State Bank; and 2-1 WHEREAS, Dr. Graves will also be remembered for his 2-2 exceptional devotion to the youth of the community; active in 2-3 scouting for more than 50 years, he served on the Boy Scouts of 2-4 America district, regional, and national executive boards and was a 2-5 charter member of the National Organization of Methodist Scouters; 2-6 and 2-7 WHEREAS, His outstanding service earned him well-deserved 2-8 recognition, and he was honored with the Silver Beaver, the Silver 2-9 Antelope, the Cross and Flame Award, the John Wesley Fellow Award, 2-10 and the James E. West Fellowship Award; and 2-11 WHEREAS, This remarkable gentleman also was well regarded in 2-12 political circles for his exceptional service to the Democratic 2-13 Party, and as party chairman of Mills County, he worked tirelessly 2-14 to enhance the party's presence in the Central Texas region; and 2-15 WHEREAS, Dr. Graves was a member of the First United 2-16 Methodist Church of Goldthwaite and was active in many church 2-17 activities, and he served the Southwest Texas Conference of the 2-18 United Methodist Church at all levels as a layman; and 2-19 WHEREAS, Dr. Graves was a man of great vision who devoted 2-20 much of his life to serving the needs of his community; though his 2-21 special presence will be deeply missed by all who knew him, his 2-22 unique spirit will surely live on in the hearts of the many people 2-23 whose lives he touched; now, 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 Dr. Thomas Clark 2-26 Graves and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to 2-27 his wife, Minnie Graves; to his daughter and son-in-law, Martha 3-1 Carolyn and Dr. R. Earl Good; to his son and daughter-in-law, Dr. 3-2 Tom Cody and Carol Graves; to his five grandchildren, Cynthia and 3-3 Robert Good, and Debra, Cody, and Lisa Graves; to his three 3-4 sisters, Mabel Lillian Shetlar, Amber Florence "Mumsie" Turner, and 3-5 Lee Ruth Campbell; and to his many other friends and relatives; 3-6 and, be 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 Dr. Thomas Clark Graves.