1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 614 1-3 In Memory 1-4 of 1-5 The Honorable Tom Creighton 1-6 WHEREAS, The State of Texas lost one of its most beloved public 1-7 figures with the passing of retired State Senator Tom Creighton, 1-8 who died on April 28, 1997, at the age of 70; and 1-9 WHEREAS, A man of legendary stature who served his state and 1-10 his nation throughout his adult years, Tom Creighton led an exemplary 1-11 life, and his contributions to Texas ranged from legislative 1-12 leadership to civic and charitable involvement; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Born in Mineral Wells, Texas, on February 26, 1927, 1-14 to Roy and Flora Creighton, Tom attended public school and graduated 1-15 in 1944; after courageously serving his country in the United States 1-16 Navy until the end of World War II, he entered law school at 1-17 The University of Texas, where he earned his law degree; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Tom Creighton returned home in 1950 to join his 1-19 father and brother in their law practice; after his marriage to 1-20 Sue Sparks, he became a devoted husband and loving father to his 1-21 three sons, Thomas, Kenneth, and Mark; he was elected county 1-22 attorney in 1952 and held that position for eight years; after his 1-23 election to represent District 22 in the Texas Senate in 1960, the 2-1 esteemed attorney continued his political career that would last 2-2 until his retirement following the 66th legislative session; and 2-3 WHEREAS, Personally familiar with the problems of his 2-4 primarily rural district, which was composed of 17 North Texas 2-5 counties, Senator Creighton had chosen ranching as an avocation 2-6 and he knew firsthand the needs of his constituents; during his 2-7 18 years as a conservative leader of the Senate, he was active in 2-8 sponsoring and supporting major legislation on topics ranging from 2-9 higher education and student tuition to state election laws and 2-10 water conservation; and 2-11 WHEREAS, During his tenure, Senator Creighton was one of the 2-12 most effective legislators in office and served on many of the major 2-13 senate committees; he provided visionary leadership while serving 2-14 as chairman of the committees on Economic Development, Finance, 2-15 Game and Fish, Election Law, and Natural Resources, and as a member 2-16 of the Legislative Budget Board; and 2-17 WHEREAS, A kind and compassionate man who was admired as a 2-18 lawyer and loved as a friend, Tom Creighton earned the respect of 2-19 his fellow senators who honored him during the 59th Legislature 2-20 when he was elected president pro tempore of the Senate; and 2-21 WHEREAS, While serving in the Texas Senate, Tom ran a 2-22 successful cable television business and was awarded the John Mankin 2-23 Award for outstanding pioneer work in the field in 1980; his 2-24 dedication to Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto County, and Texas brought 2-25 him numerous honors; and 3-1 WHEREAS, In addition to his important legislative work, 3-2 Senator Creighton served as president of the Mineral Wells Jaycees 3-3 and as their national director; he was a past president of the Lions 3-4 Club and Palo Pinto County United Way, and was on the executive 3-5 board of the American Legion Post 75 for 17 years; and 3-6 WHEREAS, Senator Creighton enjoyed life and loved music; he 3-7 learned to play the piano by ear and often entertained friends 3-8 impromptu by playing and singing for them; in 1990 he married 3-9 Mary Evans and his family grew with the addition of three 3-10 stepchildren; and 3-11 WHEREAS, The passing of such a fine gentleman, citizen, and 3-12 friend has brought sorrow to all who were privileged to know this 3-13 honorable Texan; now, therefore, be it 3-14 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 3-15 75th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the family 3-16 of Thomas William Creighton: his wife, Mary; his sons and 3-17 daughters-in-law, Thomas William Creighton, Jr., Kenneth Roy and 3-18 Kay Creighton, and Mark Gregory and Mildred Creighton; his stepsons, 3-19 Captain Robert Clayton Evans and Lieutenant Lee H. Evans; his 3-20 stepdaughter, Mary Michelle Evans; his grandchildren, Carly, Emily, 3-21 Ben, Parker, and Martha Creighton; and his brother, 3-22 John Roy Creighton, Jr.; and, be it further 3-23 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for his 3-24 family as an expression of profound regret from the Texas Senate, 3-25 and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 4-1 Thomas William Creighton. 4-2 Sibley 4-3 ______________________________________ 4-4 President of the Senate 4-5 I hereby certify that the above 4-6 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 4-7 on April 30, 1997, by a rising vote. 4-8 ______________________________________ 4-9 Secretary of the Senate 4-10 ______________________________________ 4-11 Member, Texas Senate