R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Dr. Raymond R. Thomas of Eagle Lake 1-2 on March 14, 2001, at the age of 74, brought a profound sense of 1-3 loss to his family, patients, students, and friends; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Born on June 12, 1926, in Lissie, he served his 1-5 country with distinction as an ensign in the United States Navy 1-6 during World War II before starting college; he graduated from The 1-7 University of Texas in Austin and The University of Texas Medical 1-8 Branch at Galveston and served his internship at City County 1-9 Hospital in Fort Worth; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Dr. Thomas began his distinguished medical career in 1-11 1954 with Drs. J. R. and J. C. Laughlin at the Laughlin Clinic in 1-12 Eagle Lake, and in 1976 he built Thomas Clinic; the trio of 1-13 physicians donated the original Laughlin facility to the Eagle Lake 1-14 Community Hospital where Dr. Thomas was chief of staff; for the 1-15 past 32 years, he held the position of clinical assistant professor 1-16 of family medicine at The University of Texas Medical School, 1-17 Houston, and recruited numerous doctors to the Eagle Lake area; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Highly respected by his colleagues, Dr. Thomas 1-19 served as vice president of the Texas Academy of Family Practice, 1-20 president of the Colorado-Fayette County Medical Society, and 1-21 medical director of the Eagle Lake Ambulance Corps; he was a 1-22 Diplomat of the American Board of Family Practice and was honored 1-23 by the Texas House of Representatives as Family Physician of the 1-24 Year in 1997; and 2-1 WHEREAS, This esteemed physician contributed to the 2-2 betterment of his community as choir director of the Eagle Lake 2-3 United Methodist Church, president of the Eagle Lake Rotary Club, a 2-4 school board trustee, a member of the American Legion Post No. 108 2-5 and the Eagle Lake Lodge No. 366 A.F. & A.M., and as a supporter of 2-6 the Sam Houston Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America; his 2-7 diverse interests encompassed the Eagle Lake Little Theatre and 2-8 directing the Prairie Edge Players; and 2-9 WHEREAS, Dr. Raymond R. Thomas shared his impressive talents 2-10 wholeheartedly, and he served as an exemplary role model to the 2-11 many people who knew and admired him throughout his lifetime; now, 2-12 therefore, be it 2-13 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-14 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Dr. Raymond R. Thomas 2-15 and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his 2-16 wife, Elfe Thomas; to his children, Julia Pardue, Raymond Russell 2-17 Thomas, Jr., Kurt Martin Thomas, and Griffith "Griff" Moses Thomas; 2-18 to his brother, Ralph "Rusty" Thomas; to his grandchildren; and to 2-19 the other relatives and many friends of this esteemed gentleman; 2-20 and, be it further 2-21 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-22 prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of 2-23 Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Dr. 2-24 Raymond R. Thomas. Cook _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 700 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 5, 2001. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House