R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Boerne Mayor Pro Tem Donald Louis
1-2 Gourley on March 8, 1997, at the age of 61, brought a great loss to
1-3 the family and friends of this beloved gentleman, and on the second
1-4 anniversary of his death, it is appropriate to pay tribute to his
1-5 life; and
1-6 WHEREAS, A native and lifelong resident of Boerne,
1-7 Mr. Gourley was born September 23, 1935; he joined the Boerne
1-8 Volunteer Fire Department as a teenager in 1954, was elected
1-9 captain in 1960, and served as fire chief from 1961 until his
1-10 retirement in 1974; and
1-11 WHEREAS, After retiring, this resolute man was employed by
1-12 the Balcones Heights Fire Department before eventually becoming
1-13 director of public works for Balcones Heights; in addition to these
1-14 extraordinary achievements, Mr. Gourley served as the fire marshal
1-15 for Kendall County until his passing; and
1-16 WHEREAS, Devoted to his community, Mr. Gourley was a member
1-17 of the Boerne City Council for 28 years, the last 10 of which he
1-18 also served as mayor pro tem; during his tenure the John Reed Dam
1-19 was built and, most important, his vast knowledge of the city and
1-20 its infrastructure was available as a resource for other council
1-21 members; and
1-22 WHEREAS, Beloved by his family and fellow citizens,
1-23 Mr. Gourley was fiercely loyal to those he loved and derived great
1-24 pleasure from spending time with his children and grandchildren, to
2-1 whom he was affectionately known as "Papa Don"; he developed many
2-2 strong and lasting friendships during his 32-year membership at the
2-3 Kendall Masonic Lodge No. 897 and considered himself a friend and
2-4 advocate of the residents of Boerne; and
2-5 WHEREAS, Known for his wisdom and persistence as a community
2-6 leader, those who were privileged to share the love and friendship
2-7 of Donald Louis Gourley will long miss his presence, and though he
2-8 is gone from this world, his spirit continues to live on in our
2-9 hearts and minds; now, therefore, be it
2-10 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-11 Legislature hereby honor the memory of Donald Louis Gourley and
2-12 extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife,
2-13 Mary Jean Gourley; to his son and daughter-in-law, Dane and Jane
2-14 Gourley; to his daughters and sons-in-law, Dani and Rick Baccus,
2-15 Gay and Daryll Marfin, and Gina and Moumin Quazi; to his seven
2-16 grandchildren; to his brother, James Gourley; and to the many other
2-17 relatives and friends of this esteemed gentleman; and, be it
2-18 further
2-19 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-20 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
2-21 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
2-22 Donald Louis Gourley.
Hilderbran
_______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 250 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on March 18, 1999.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House