By Black H.R. No. 768
74R11048 SAJ-D
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.