By Lewis of Orange                              H.C.R. No. 59

      75R4917 JTR-D                           

                             HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 1-1           WHEREAS, The death of Ottis "Bo" Lewis on April 26, 1996, at

 1-2     the age of 70, deeply saddened his family and many friends, and we

 1-3     join them in bidding a reluctant farewell to this notable Texan;

 1-4     and

 1-5           WHEREAS, Born June 4, 1925, in Arden, Arkansas, Mr. Lewis

 1-6     moved to East Texas as a young man, settling in Burkeville in 1943;

 1-7     talented and resourceful, he worked as a logging contractor and

 1-8     owned both a car dealership and a service station before entering

 1-9     public life; and

1-10           WHEREAS, In 1967 Mr. Lewis was elected county commissioner

1-11     for Precinct 2 in Newton County, serving with distinction for 24

1-12     years, and his tenure in this position was characterized by the

1-13     soundness and steadiness of his leadership; he exercised these same

1-14     admirable attributes as president of the Sabine River Authority

1-15     Board, a post he held from 1991 until his death; and

1-16           WHEREAS, Mr. Lewis's contributions to the community extended

1-17     far beyond the offices he held, and he gave freely of his time and

1-18     talent as a member of the Jasper-Newton Health Board and as

1-19     secretary of the Burkeville School Board; a 32nd-degree Master

1-20     Mason, he was a member of Newton Lodge #136 in Burkeville; and

1-21           WHEREAS, Despite his many achievements, throughout his life

1-22     Mr. Lewis derived his greatest joy and satisfaction from his large

1-23     and loving family, and he will be especially missed in his role as

1-24     an affectionate father, grandfather, and great-grandfather; and

 2-1           WHEREAS, Ottis Lewis will be fondly remembered as a dedicated

 2-2     public servant and a devoted family man; his legacy of service and

 2-3     achievement endures in the hearts of all who were privileged to

 2-4     know him, and it is fitting that he be honored at this time; now,

 2-5     therefore, be it

 2-6           RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas

 2-7     hereby honor the memory of Ottis "Bo" Lewis and extend sincere

 2-8     sympathy to the members of his family: to his beloved wife, Ethel

 2-9     Lewis; to his children, Mike Lewis, Ron Lewis, Edward Droptini,

2-10     Sharon McMullen, and Brenda Roden; to his grandchildren, Shavonn

2-11     McMullen Norcross, Jace Roden, Kimberly Lewis, Brian Lewis, Alec

2-12     Lewis, Brad Droptini, Shelly Droptini, Jacob Turner, and Taylor

2-13     Turner; and to his great-grandson, Brandon Lewis; and to all the

2-14     relatives and friends of this distinguished gentleman; and, be it

2-15     further

2-16           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-17     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas

2-18     House of Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in

2-19     memory of Ottis Lewis.