1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 280 1-3 In Memory 1-4 of 1-5 The Honorable Frank Owen III 1-6 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the citizens 1-7 of El Paso and Texans across the state in mourning the loss of 1-8 Frank Owen III, who died February 20, 1999, at the age of 72; and 1-9 WHEREAS, Born February 25, 1926, in El Paso, Texas, 1-10 Frank Owen served as a tail gunner on a B-17 in the United States 1-11 Army Air Corps during World War II; he graduated from 1-12 The University of Texas School of Law in 1951 and became 1-13 a prominent Lower Valley cotton farmer and an avid raiser 1-14 of registered Appaloosa horses; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Mr. Owen was active in numerous organizations, 1-16 including the El Paso Bar Association, the Texas Bar Association, 1-17 the American Bar Association, and the Texas Trial Lawyers 1-18 Association; he was active in the El Paso Sheriff's Posse and 1-19 was the founding director and chairman of the board of American 1-20 Bank of Commerce; and 1-21 WHEREAS, A longtime leading political figure in our state, 1-22 Frank Owen served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1951 1-23 through 1954 and in the Texas Senate from 1955 to 1965; and 1-24 WHEREAS, While serving in the Texas Legislature, he 2-1 was chairman of the Federal Relations Committee and the Oil 2-2 and Gas Committee and was vice chairman of the Water Conservation 2-3 Committee; he was named President Pro Tempore for the Texas Senate 2-4 and was Governor for a Day for Texas on January 6, 1961; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Frank Owen was dedicated to his work in the 2-6 legislature and consistently strived to contribute to the 2-7 betterment of Texas; and 2-8 WHEREAS, An exemplary and distinguished gentleman, he was 2-9 respected in the El Paso community and throughout the state for 2-10 his many accomplishments and leadership; and 2-11 WHEREAS, He was a devout Christian and was an active member 2-12 of Trinity First United Methodist Church; and 2-13 WHEREAS, A man of integrity, strength, and generosity, he 2-14 gave unselfishly of his time to others, and his wisdom, warmth, 2-15 and valued counsel will not be forgotten by those who knew him; 2-16 and 2-17 WHEREAS, Frank Owen was a devoted husband, father, and 2-18 grandfather who lived his life to the fullest, and he leaves 2-19 behind memories that will be treasured forever by his family 2-20 and many friends; now, therefore, be it 2-21 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-22 76th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the 2-23 bereaved family of Frank Owen III: his wife, Marianne Farrier Owen; 2-24 his sons, Frank Owen IV and William Farrier Owen; his daughters, 2-25 Catherine Anne Owen Woodul, Virginia Ruth Owen Roberts, 2-26 Robin Owen Grambling, and Lorrie Owen Ballinger; his sister, 3-1 Chickie Bowden; and his 15 grandchildren; and, be it further 3-2 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the 3-3 members of his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from 3-4 the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it 3-5 do so in memory of Frank Owen III. 3-6 Shapleigh 3-7 ______________________________________ 3-8 President of the Senate 3-9 I hereby certify that the above 3-10 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-11 on February 24, 1999, by a rising vote. 3-12 ______________________________________ 3-13 Secretary of the Senate 3-14 ______________________________________ 3-15 Member, Texas Senate