By Wohlgemuth                                         H.C.R. No. 94
         76R5834 BE-D                           
                             HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1-1           WHEREAS, The passing of Dr. Jack Burton of Cleburne on
 1-2     February 4, 1999, at the age of 77, has brought a great loss to the
 1-3     family and friends of this esteemed gentleman; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Dr. Burton was born in Cleburne on September 30,
 1-5     1921, to Virgil and Myrtle Burton, who instilled in him the values
 1-6     and ideals that would define his life; country, community, and
 1-7     family were of paramount importance to him; and
 1-8           WHEREAS, His patriotism and exceptional service with the U.S.
 1-9     Army Air Corps during World War II were notable, and he was awarded
1-10     the Silver Star and two distinguished flying crosses; as a B-29
1-11     pilot, Dr. Burton flew 35 combat missions from Guam to Japan,  and
1-12     his outstanding bravery in difficult circumstances earned him much
1-13     admiration; and
1-14           WHEREAS, After the war, he returned home and married his
1-15     college sweetheart, Miss Mary Barnett, and the couple soon moved to
1-16     Memphis, Tennessee, where he attended the Southern College of
1-17     Optometry; and
1-18           WHEREAS, Dr. Burton returned to Cleburne after graduation and
1-19     established an optometry practice; Dr. and Mrs. Burton were blessed
1-20     with two children, Larry and Kay, and the family's years together
1-21     were filled with much love and many joyful memories; and
1-22           WHEREAS, A deep commitment to his community encouraged
1-23     Dr. Burton's involvement in a number of activities, from his
1-24     position as deacon at the Field Street Baptist Church to his many
 2-1     years as a volunteer with Meals on Wheels; and
 2-2           WHEREAS, He had served as president of the Texas Optometric
 2-3     Association and as chairman of the Cleburne Industrial Development
 2-4     Foundation; his ability and dedication earned him a position on the
 2-5     board of the Johnson County Committee on Aging, as well as his
 2-6     appointment by Governor George W. Bush to the Texas Board on Aging;
 2-7     and
 2-8           WHEREAS, The warmth and good counsel of Dr. Burton will be
 2-9     sorely missed, but surely his spirit lives on in the hearts and
2-10     memories of the many lives he touched through his years of devoted
2-11     service, and it is indeed appropriate to honor his memory at this
2-12     time; now, therefore, be it
2-13           RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
2-14     hereby pay tribute to the life of Dr. Jack Burton and extend
2-15     sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his beloved wife,
2-16     Mary; to his son, the Reverend Larry Burton, and his wife, Diane;
2-17     to his daughter, Kay, and her husband, Larry Kelm; and to his
2-18     grandchildren, Mark Burton, Paul Burton, Alicia Burton, Dan Kelm,
2-19     and Ky Kelm; and, be it further
2-20           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-21     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
2-22     House of Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in
2-23     memory of Dr. Jack Burton.