By Place                                               H.R. No. 834

         75R13958 SAJ-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The passing of Francis C. Ward on April 14, 1997, at

 1-2     the age of 78, has brought a great loss to the family and many

 1-3     friends of this esteemed Gatesville resident; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, Born August 17, 1918, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, he

 1-5     wed the lovely Adeline Powell on March 4, 1944, and the couple

 1-6     nurtured a deeply fulfilling union that spanned 53 years; and

 1-7           WHEREAS, Mr. Ward was a member of the Gatesville City Council

 1-8     from 1968 to 1976, and he further served his fellow citizens as

 1-9     mayor pro-tem during his tenure; this public-spirited gentleman

1-10     also worked for the betterment of the community as a member of the

1-11     city's planning and zoning commission, and his stalwart commitment

1-12     earned him the appreciation of many people; and

1-13           WHEREAS, A World War II veteran, he was a former vice

1-14     president of Kalyn Industries, and he was also employed as co-owner

1-15     and operator of Powell's Chevrolet for 45 years; and

1-16           WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Ward was sustained by his

1-17     abiding faith as a devout member of the First United Methodist

1-18     Church in Gatesville, where he taught Sunday school and held many

1-19     leadership posts through the years; and

1-20           WHEREAS, Francis Ward left an indelible mark on the community

1-21     he was proud to call home, and though his special presence will be

1-22     deeply missed, his memory will long endure in the hearts and minds

1-23     of all who knew and loved him; now, therefore, be it

1-24           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

 2-1     Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Francis C. Ward and

 2-2     extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife,

 2-3     Adeline Ward; to his son, John Ward; to his two grandchildren; and

 2-4     to the many other friends and relatives of this esteemed Texan;

 2-5     and, be it further

 2-6           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

 2-7     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas

 2-8     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of

 2-9     Francis C.  Ward.