By Hunter                                              H.R. No. 768
         76R13472 MDM-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The passing of Frederich L.  Gerlach of Abilene on
 1-2     March 26, 1999,  has brought a great loss to the family and many
 1-3     friends of this esteemed gentleman; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Born on August 3, 1930, in Livingston, Texas,
 1-5     Mr. Gerlach graduated from Abilene High School in 1947; he
 1-6     continued his education at The University of Texas and in 1954 he
 1-7     graduated with a degree in business; and
 1-8           WHEREAS, He served his country with distinction in the Korean
 1-9     conflict as a member of the U.S. Army; following his military
1-10     service, Mr. Gerlach returned to Abilene to work with his father in
1-11     the family oil and gas business and later became owner of Gerlach
1-12     Oil Co., Inc.; and
1-13           WHEREAS, Mr. Gerlach married the former Mary Foster on
1-14     September 4, 1954, in Abilene, and they enjoyed a warm and happy
1-15     relationship; the couple were blessed with a son and a daughter,
1-16     and through the years, they welcomed three grandchildren into their
1-17     close-knit family; and
1-18           WHEREAS, This highly respected gentleman took an active role
1-19     in the betterment of his community; he served the congregation of
1-20     the Church of the Heavenly Rest as a member of the finance
1-21     committee and vestry and as a Junior Warden and for many years was
1-22     head of every member canvas; and
1-23           WHEREAS, President Ronald Reagan personally commended
1-24     Mr. Gerlach for his community service to St. John's Episcopal
 2-1     School, and he was awarded the Chevron Gold Service Award; he held
 2-2     leadership positions with the YMCA, the Development Council for
 2-3     Hendrick Home for Children, and United Way; and
 2-4           WHEREAS, Mr. Gerlach also contributed his time and resources
 2-5     in support of the Abilene Opera Association, Abilene Chamber of
 2-6     Commerce, and Abilene Exchange Club; his professional affiliations
 2-7     included the West Central Texas Oil and Gas Association, Texas
 2-8     Marketers Association, and the Texas Petroleum Marketers and
 2-9     Convenience Store Association; and
2-10           WHEREAS, Those who were privileged to share the friendship of
2-11     Mr. Gerlach will long miss his presence, and he will surely be
2-12     remembered with great affection and admiration for many years to
2-13     come; now, therefore, be it
2-14           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-15     Legislature hereby honor the memory of Frederich L. Gerlach and
2-16     extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife,
2-17     Mary Gerlach; to his son, Kristofer Gerlach; to his daughter and
2-18     son-in-law, Julianna and Ray Galloway; to his grandchildren,
2-19     Lauren, Connor, and Lindsey Galloway; to his nephew, Dr. Karl
2-20     Gerlach; and to the many other friends and relatives of this fine
2-21     man; and, be it further
2-22           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-23     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
2-24     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it so do in memory of
2-25     Frederich L. Gerlach.