H.R. No. 370



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, A loving family and good friends celebrate the life 
of Melvin Donald Smith of Cleburne, who passed away on July 8, 2005, 
at the age of 78; and
	WHEREAS, Born on August 22, 1926, in Elbert, Mr. Smith served 
with distinction in the U.S. Army Air Corps and Air Force during 
World War II; after the military, he attended Weatherford Junior 
College and Texas Wesleyan College, where he earned a bachelor of 
science degree, and later received his master of education degree 
from Texas Christian University; and
	WHEREAS, A strong advocate for public education, he began his 
teaching and coaching career in Granbury in 1950, twice leading the 
girls' basketball team to the state finals; he was a high school 
principal in Granbury, and Jacksboro, where in 1962 he was selected 
to be superintendent; in 1971, Mr. Smith moved to Cleburne and 
served as superintendent of the Cleburne schools until he retired 
in 1986; and
	WHEREAS, After his retirement, Mr. Smith embarked on a second 
career with DSA, a construction management firm specializing in 
school design and construction; he also became active in the Texas 
Association of Retired Administrators and served two terms as the 
association's president; and
	WHEREAS, This distinguished Texan devoted much of his time 
and energy to his community; he was president and director of the 
Jacksboro Lions Club and the Jacksboro and Cleburne Chambers of 
Commerce; he was an elder of the Christian Church, charter member 
and president of the Tuesday Forum, lay advisory committee chairman 
of Southwestern Adventist University, and board member for the 
Southern Association of Schools and Colleges; he was also a charter 
member of the group that brought Hill College to Johnson County, and 
in 1985, he was named the Outstanding Citizen of Cleburne; and
	WHEREAS, Don Smith made countless contributions that 
continue to resonate in the lives of his students and fellow 
citizens, and his memory will be forever cherished by those who were 
blessed to share in his love and friendship; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of 
Melvin Donald Smith and extend sincere sympathy to the members of 
his family:  to his wife of 23 years, Wanda; to his four children, 
Tommy Smith and his wife, Jeanne, Craig Smith and his wife, Nancy, 
Sue Schechter and her husband, Richard, and Max Nimmo and his wife, 
Tammy; to his nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; to 
his two sisters, Velma Rea Pounds and her husband, R. J., and Jewel 
Heard; and to his many other relatives and friends; 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 Melvin 
Donald Smith.

                                                                 Allen of Harris


                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 370 was unanimously adopted by a 
rising vote of the House on July 19, 2005.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House