By Chisum H.C.R. No. 113
77R5612 JKB-D
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Robert L. Dillard, Jr., of Dallas on
1-2 November 30, 2000, at the age of 87, has brought a great loss to
1-3 the family, friends, and colleagues of this esteemed gentleman; and
1-4 WHEREAS, A longtime civic leader in the Dallas community,
1-5 Mr. Dillard was well respected for his efforts in behalf of many
1-6 causes; he was born in Corsicana on September 30, 1913, and, after
1-7 attending Wichita Falls High School and Junior College, he
1-8 continued his pursuit of higher education and earned bachelor's and
1-9 law degrees from Southern Methodist University (SMU) and an
1-10 advanced law degree from Harvard University; and
1-11 WHEREAS, After a short term as assistant city attorney of
1-12 Dallas, Mr. Dillard enjoyed a 33-year tenure with the Southland
1-13 Life Insurance Company, from which he retired in 1978 as executive
1-14 vice president; a natural leader, he held membership in numerous
1-15 insurance and legal organizations, including the Dallas, American,
1-16 and international bar associations, the Texas Life Conventions
1-17 Senior Section, the Association of Life Insurance Counsel, and the
1-18 American Life Insurance Association; and
1-19 WHEREAS, The Dallas community also benefitted from the
1-20 extensive knowledge and experience of Mr. Dillard, as he was
1-21 elected to the Board of Education for the Dallas Independent School
1-22 District in 1952, 1955, and 1959, and served as the board's
1-23 president from 1961 to 1962; this distinguished Texan was also
1-24 deeply involved with Camp Fire Girls, Inc., the Community Council
2-1 of Greater Dallas, Boy Scouts of America, and the board of trustees
2-2 for both the Children's Medical Center Foundation and the Methodist
2-3 Medical Center; and
2-4 WHEREAS, A 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason, Mr. Dillard was
2-5 president of the board of directors of the Masonic Home and School
2-6 in Fort Worth and was one of only eight Texans to ever receive the
2-7 prestigious Grand Cross, the highest honor conferred by the
2-8 Scottish Rite of Freemasonry; moreover, he gave generously of his
2-9 time and talents to the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
2-10 and was a member and Sunday school teacher at Highland Park United
2-11 Methodist Church; and
2-12 WHEREAS, This estimable individual was recognized as a
2-13 Distinguished Alumnus by SMU and the university's law school; in
2-14 recognition of his significant efforts in the Dallas area, he
2-15 received the Justinian Award for Community Service from the Dallas
2-16 Lawyers' Wives Club, and in 1990 the Dallas/Fort Worth Hospital
2-17 Council presented him its prestigious Distinguished Health Service
2-18 Award; and
2-19 WHEREAS, While Mr. Dillard was a renowned community leader,
2-20 he was also a devoted husband and father; he and his wife of more
2-21 than 60 years, the former Dundee Sheeks, were blessed with three
2-22 children, Robert III, Diane, and Deborah, as well as 13
2-23 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and
2-24 WHEREAS, Robert L. Dillard, Jr., was a man of integrity and
2-25 wisdom, and while he will be greatly missed, his spirit will
2-26 undoubtedly live on in the hearts and minds of all those fortunate
2-27 to have known him; now, therefore, be it
3-1 RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas
3-2 hereby pay tribute to the life of Robert L. Dillard, Jr., and
3-3 extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife,
3-4 Dundee Sheeks Dillard; to his son, Robert L. Dillard III, and his
3-5 wife, Susan; to his daughters and sons-in-law, Diane and Pat More
3-6 and Deborah and John B. Cullen III; to his 13 grandchildren; to his
3-7 three great-grandchildren; and to his other relatives and many
3-8 friends; and, be it further
3-9 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-10 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
3-11 House of Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in
3-12 memory of Robert L. Dillard, Jr.