By Hunter H.R. No. 41 75R4282 WMS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The recent passing of A. B. "Stormy" Shelton of 1-2 Abilene on January 16, 1997, at the age of 82, has brought a great 1-3 loss to the many friends and relatives of this beloved businessman, 1-4 civic leader, and philanthropist; and 1-5 WHEREAS, A native Texan, Mr. Shelton relocated from Harlingen 1-6 to Abilene in the 1930s to pursue his higher education at 1-7 Hardin-Simmons University; while attending there, he took a 1-8 position as an advertising salesman with the Abilene Reporter-News 1-9 in 1935, beginning an association with that publication that would 1-10 span more than half a century; and 1-11 WHEREAS, At the onset of World War II, this outstanding 1-12 patriot answered his country's call to arms, serving his nation 1-13 with distinction as a captain with the 84th Infantry Division, and 1-14 his heroic actions in the European Theater of Operations earned him 1-15 the Bronze Star; and 1-16 WHEREAS, On completing his military service, Mr. Shelton 1-17 returned to the Abilene Reporter-News and his remarkable publishing 1-18 instincts enabled him to pursue a brilliant career with the paper; 1-19 rising through the ranks, he held increasingly responsible 1-20 positions, eventually becoming president and publisher, and finally 1-21 chairman of the Abilene Reporter-News board of directors, bringing 1-22 to each post the dedication and impartiality that were the 1-23 hallmark of all his many endeavors; and 1-24 WHEREAS, In addition to his work with the Abilene 2-1 Reporter-News, he also played a pivotal role as a director of 2-2 Harte-Hanks Communications, Inc., the newspaper's parent company, 2-3 and helped to guide that enterprise through the turbulent financial 2-4 period of the 1970s and 1980s; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Indicative of the esteem in which he was held by 2-6 state leaders, Mr. Shelton was appointed by Governor John Connally 2-7 to serve on the Texas Water Commission and by Governor Preston 2-8 Smith to be a member of the Texas Industrial Commission; and 2-9 WHEREAS, Mr. Shelton insisted on sharing the benefits of his 2-10 labors with others, and gave freely of his time, energy, and 2-11 resources to benefit the West Texas Rehabilitation Center, Hendrick 2-12 Medical Center, Hardin-Simmons University, the YMCA, the YWCA, and 2-13 the Abilene Chamber of Commerce; and 2-14 WHEREAS, He received many well-deserved accolades for his 2-15 ceaseless efforts in behalf of his fellow citizens, including an 2-16 Outstanding Citizen of the Year award from the Abilene Chamber of 2-17 Commerce, the AIDE Award given by the Texas Industrial Commission, 2-18 a Volunteer Service Award from the United Way of Abilene, and a 2-19 Special Folks Award from Disability Resources, Inc.; most recently, 2-20 the Hendricks Ambulatory Surgery and Radiation Therapy Building was 2-21 named in his honor; and 2-22 WHEREAS, Married to the former Patty Hanks from 1940 until 2-23 her passing in 1986, Mr. Shelton was blessed to find happiness 2-24 again when he was united in marriage with his second wife, Ruby; 2-25 and 2-26 WHEREAS, A man of rare vision and generosity, "Stormy" 2-27 Shelton will long be remembered by all who were privileged to know 3-1 him; though his presence is gone from us now, his remarkable spirit 3-2 will continue to live on in the hearts of the many people whose 3-3 lives he touched during his time on this earth; now, therefore, be 3-4 it 3-5 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 3-6 Legislature hereby honor the life of A. B. "Stormy" Shelton and 3-7 extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, 3-8 Ruby Shelton; to his daughters and sons-in-law, Sharon and Leonard 3-9 Hoffman, Sindy and David Durham, and Scottie Ann and Steve Wade; to 3-10 his grandchildren, Christine Nichols, Wendy Durham, and Andy 3-11 Durham; and to the many other friends and relatives of this 3-12 esteemed gentleman; and, be it further 3-13 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-14 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 3-15 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 3-16 A. B. "Stormy" Shelton.