By Kamel H.R. No. 325 75R6695 SAJ-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, June 24, 1997, marks the second anniversary of the 1-2 passing of Ralph Spence, Sr.; and 1-3 WHEREAS, A native of Tyler, Mr. Spence was graduated from The 1-4 University of Texas in 1942; he maintained an abiding commitment to 1-5 his alma mater throughout the years as an esteemed member of 1-6 several boards and committees within The University of Texas System 1-7 and as chair of the Chancellor's Council, he secured for The 1-8 University of Texas at Austin one of the five complete copies of 1-9 the Gutenberg Bible in the nation; and 1-10 WHEREAS, A World War II veteran, Mr. Spence was well regarded 1-11 for his career as an independent oil operator and discovered fields 1-12 in Texas, Montana, and Colorado; an acknowledged leader in his area 1-13 of expertise, he shared his extensive knowledge with his colleagues 1-14 as a member of several professional organizations, and he was 1-15 honored by the East Texas Association of Petroleum Landmen with the 1-16 Pioneer Award for his vast contributions to the industry; and 1-17 WHEREAS, Throughout his distinguished career, he demonstrated 1-18 an abiding commitment to the Tyler community, and the many 1-19 organizations and civic groups that welcomed his involvement 1-20 include the Salvation Army, the East Texas Hospital Foundation, the 1-21 Tyler-Smith County Public Library, the Texas Rose Festival, and the 1-22 Masonic Order; and 1-23 WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Spence was sustained by a 1-24 deep religious faith, and he shared his devotion with many others 2-1 both as a warden and as a vestryman at Christ Episcopal Church; 2-2 Mr. Spence further served his denomination as a principal presenter 2-3 at the 65th General Convention of the Episcopal Church and as a 2-4 trustee of the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin; and 2-5 WHEREAS, His remarkable service in behalf of others earned 2-6 him well-deserved acclaim, for he received awards from numerous 2-7 organizations, including the Texas Congress of the Parent-Teacher 2-8 Association, The University of Texas at Tyler, the Salvation Army 2-9 Board, the Carnegie Library of Tyler, and the Tyler-Smith County 2-10 Library Foundation, Inc.; and 2-11 WHEREAS, Ralph Spence was a man of immense vision who left an 2-12 indelible mark on the community he was proud to call home, and 2-13 though he is gone from us now, his spirit will long endure in the 2-14 many accomplishments he left behind; now, therefore, be it 2-15 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-16 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Ralph Spence, Sr., 2-17 and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his 2-18 beloved wife, Mary John Spence; to his son and daughter-in-law, 2-19 Ralph Spence, Jr., and Tancy Ann Spence; to his daughters and 2-20 sons-in-law, Louise and Guy Griffeth and Judy and Charles Tate; to 2-21 his seven grandchildren, Spence Underwood Griffeth, Charles Teal 2-22 Griffeth, Mary John Frank, Louise Spence Frank, Ralph Spence III, 2-23 Nash Wynne Spence, and Benjamin Grelling Spence; and to his many 2-24 friends and relatives; and, be it further 2-25 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-26 prepared for the members of his family and when the Texas House of 2-27 Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Ralph 3-1 Spence, Sr.