78R4548 JNC-D

By:  Goolsby                                                      H.R. No. 178



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The passing of Oscar Louis Henry Mehl at the age of  
92 has left a void in the lives of his many friends and family; and
	WHEREAS, Born the sixth of 10 children on May 9, 1910, Oscar 
Mehl was raised in Sylvan Grove, Kansas, by his parents, Frederick 
and Elizabeth Mehl; the family lived on 25 acres, with milk cows, 
chickens, and a garden that created ample opportunity for childhood 
chores; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Mehl graduated magna cum laude as student body 
president from Valparaiso University in 1933 with a degree in 
electrical engineering;  he worked briefly as a county engineer in 
Lincoln, Kansas, where he met the love of his life, Garnet Sheets; 
and
	WHEREAS, In 1935, the Carrier Corporation offered him a job 
as one of 20 engineers nationwide, prompting a move to Chicago; 
shortly after, Mr. Mehl was transferred to Dallas and on his way to 
the Lone Star State, he stopped in Kansas to marry the lovely Miss 
Sheets; and
	WHEREAS, While in Dallas, Mr. Mehl worked on such buildings 
as the Lone Star Gas Building, the Medical Arts Building, the 
Magnolia Building, and many others; after 40 years of faithful 
service, he retired from the Carrier Corporation as Southern Zone 
Manager in 1975; and
	WHEREAS, He was a lifetime member of the American Society of 
Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers and was also 
actively involved with the Park Cities Rotary Club for many years; 
and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Mehl found many interests after retirement, not 
the least of which was expanding and displaying his collection of 
about 12,000 beer cans; he also did his best to keep Mrs. Mehl 
supplied with wooden parts for the many craft items she produced 
over the years; and
	WHEREAS, The couple joined Our Redeemer Lutheran Church 
shortly after its installation and have had lifelong friends in the 
church; an active member, Mr. Mehl served as president, elder, and 
on various committees and built a cross from the original wood 
flooring that still hangs in the gymnasium; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Mehl spent the past five years in independent 
living at The Forum retirement home, where he and his beloved wife 
made and enjoyed many new friends; the Wednesday night poker group 
was particularly gratifying to the venturesome Mr. Mehl; and
	WHEREAS, Oscar Louis Henry Mehl was devoted to his wife, 
children, and faith and although his love and guidance will be 
missed by all who were privileged to know him, his spirit will long 
live on in the hearts and minds of the many people whose lives he 
touched; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby honor the life of Oscar Louis Henry Mehl and 
extend sincere sympathy to his family: to his wife, Garnet; to his 
children, Jim and wife Judith, Lynette Hilliard and Jim Hearne, and 
John and wife Julie; to his grandchildren, Dr. Stuart Hilliard, 
Brooke and Mike Mercer, and Laura, Sarah, and Michael Mehl; to his 
great-grandchildren, Campbell and Hank Mercer; and to the many 
friends of this esteemed gentleman; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of 
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Oscar Louis 
Henry Mehl.