R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of John Wesley Styles of Seymour on
1-2 September 2, 1998, at the age of 73, brought a great loss to the
1-3 many friends and relatives of this esteemed law enforcement
1-4 officer, and he will be remembered on June 5, 1999, at a Texas
1-5 Ranger Association Foundation memorial ceremony; and
1-6 WHEREAS, A Baylor County native, Mr. Styles was born on May
1-7 7, 1925, and graduated from Seymour High School in 1944; he earned
1-8 an advanced certificate from the Texas Commission on Law
1-9 Enforcement Officer Standards and Education as well as
1-10 certifications in several criminal law enforcement specialties from
1-11 Sam Houston State University, the Texas Department of Public
1-12 Safety, the Governor's Criminal Justice Division, and the Texas
1-13 Police Association; and
1-14 WHEREAS, Mr. Styles served his country with distinction as a
1-15 member of the United States Army during World War II, earning the
1-16 Purple Heart and a number of other citations, and he later served
1-17 his country in Korea; and
1-18 WHEREAS, In 1951, Mr. Styles became the youngest sheriff in
1-19 Texas when he was appointed to that post in Baylor County at the
1-20 age of 26 and, during his fine tenure in office, he gained the
1-21 respect of colleagues and citizens alike for his fair treatment of
1-22 all people, his tireless dedication to his post, and his
1-23 willingness to offer young people a second chance; and
1-24 WHEREAS, He proudly served as sheriff until 1969, when he was
2-1 appointed by Governor Clements to the Texas Ranger Service of the
2-2 Texas Department of Public Safety; his knowledge and expertise led
2-3 to many successful investigations during the 20 years he was
2-4 stationed in Huntsville and, while he was assigned to Company "A",
2-5 he was responsible for Walker, Trinity, Montgomery, and San Jacinto
2-6 counties; and
2-7 WHEREAS, Mr. Styles married his bride, the former Betty Lynn
2-8 Stout, on June 14, 1963, in Baylor County, and the couple enjoyed a
2-9 happy and rewarding marriage that spanned 35 years; and
2-10 WHEREAS, In 1989, the couple moved to Seymour and Mr. Styles
2-11 accepted a position as an investigator for the 50th Judicial
2-12 District until his retirement in 1992; this devoted couple were
2-13 members of First Baptist Church and Mr. Styles was a past master of
2-14 Seymour Masonic Lodge No. 604; and
2-15 WHEREAS, Those who were privileged to share the friendship of
2-16 John Wesley Styles miss him deeply, and he will surely continue to
2-17 be remembered with great affection and admiration for many years to
2-18 come; now, therefore, be it
2-19 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-20 Legislature hereby honor the memory of John Wesley Styles and
2-21 extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife,
2-22 Betty Lynn Styles; to his parents, Stella and Delmer Styles; to his
2-23 sister and brother-in-law, Ila Mae and Kenneth Benson; to his
2-24 brothers and sisters-in-law, A. C. and Joyce Styles, Buster and
2-25 Jackie Styles, Gerald and Wanda Styles, and James and Henrietta
2-26 Styles; and to the many other friends and relatives of this
2-27 dedicated public servant; and, be it further
3-1 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-2 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
3-3 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-4 John Wesley Styles.
Hardcastle
_______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1009 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 19, 1999.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House