78R3529 MMS-D

By:  Campbell                                                     H.R. No. 49 



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The family and friends of Kenneth R. Epley of San 
Angelo sustained a great loss with the passing of this beloved 
gentleman on November 14, 2002; and
	WHEREAS, Born on August 16, 1934, in Erwin, Tennessee, Mr. 
Epley attended the University of Miami and received an engineering 
degree from East Tennessee State University; he served his country 
with valor as a pilot in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 
1955; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Epley moved to San Angelo in the early 1960s and  
began a successful career manufacturing drilling equipment; he 
owned Oil Well Machine and Tool Co., Inc., held a partnership in 
Drill Rite Tools until 1973, and later worked with the Reed Tool 
Co., Murphy Industries, and Bakerdrill, Inc.; after obtaining the 
licenses to manufacture Bakerdrill products in 1979, he founded 
Epley Enterprises, which continues today under the able direction 
of his son Mike; and
	WHEREAS, Numerous community organizations in San Angelo 
benefited from Mr. Epley's staunch support; he was a great friend of 
the Concho Valley Boy Scouts of America, which he served in many 
leadership capacities and which conferred on him the Silver Beaver 
Award; Mr. Epley also worked with the Crockett Parent Teacher 
Association and sat on the board of the Children's Emergency 
Shelter; and
	WHEREAS, Deeply committed to his faith and to Glen Meadows 
Baptist Church, Mr. Epley served his fellow parishioners as a 
trustee and treasurer and also oversaw the sound system; in 
addition, he chaired the board of the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts 
and the San Angelo Lake Board, as well as serving on the board of the 
First Savings and Loan Association; in 1985, Governor Mark White 
appointed him to the State Purchasing and General Services 
Commission; and
	WHEREAS, Ken Epley was devoted to his close-knit family, 
which included his wife of 23 years, Virginia, and his children, 
Mike and the late John Mark; and
	WHEREAS, A kind and generous man who gladly put his great 
knowledge and experience at the disposal of others, Mr. Epley also 
cheered the hearts of many with his ready humor and thoughtful 
encouragement, and he will be forever cherished by those who were 
blessed to share his love and friendship; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay special tribute to the life of Kenneth R. 
Epley and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family:  to 
his wife, Virginia Shotts Epley; to his son and daughter-in-law, 
Mike and Gina Epley; to his grandchildren, Sara Mackenzie, Michael 
Caleb, and Shelby Grace Epley; to his sisters and brothers-in-law, 
Ruby and Walter Williams and Belva and Raymond Garland; to his 
brother and sister-in-law, John M. and Ann Epley; to his former 
wife, Peggy Epley; and to his many other relatives and friends; and, 
be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas House 
of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Kenneth 
R. Epley.