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79S30168 JHS-D

By:  Chisum                                                       H.R. No. 157



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Residents of Hansford County and the State of Texas 
lost an esteemed Texan with the death of Johnnie C. Lee of Spearman 
on December 18, 2004, at the age of 80, and it is indeed fitting to 
remember this community-minded gentleman and his many 
contributions to the welfare of his fellow citizens; and
	WHEREAS, Born in Stratford on November 20, 1924, Mr. Lee was 
the son of Dick and Ruth Gladys Lee; he was reared and educated in 
Gruver and joined the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17, 
receiving two Purple Hearts during World War II as a member of the 
Fourth Marine Division before being honorably discharged with the 
rank of corporal; and
	WHEREAS, On his return to Gruver, he was appointed veterans 
service officer for Hansford County, the first in a series of 
leadership roles he would take on over the course of his life; 
during that time, he also met and married Jo Ann Hoskins, with whom 
he shared an enduring union that was blessed with three children; 
and
	WHEREAS, At the age of 23, he became the youngest county judge 
in the state after he was appointed by the commissioners court to 
the office of Hansford County judge; after winning reelection, he 
went on to hold the office for the next three decades, unopposed, 
faithfully fulfilling his duties as county judge and ex-officio 
county superintendent of several rural schools; and
	WHEREAS, Judge Lee's myriad contributions to the residents of 
Hansford County included his pivotal role in establishing a county 
hospital district and Hansford Hospital; he was also instrumental 
in the creation of the Hansford County Library and the 
establishment of the Stationmaster's House Museum in Spearman, 
which he oversaw in his capacity as the inaugural chair of the 
Hansford Historical Society; and
	WHEREAS, A lifelong farmer and rancher, he was active with 
the Gruver and Spearman Chambers of Commerce, the Lions Club, the 
Rotary Club, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion; 
he also supported the Spearman Little League and Boy Scouts of 
America Troop No. 51 and was an honorary member of the Hansford 
County FFA; and
	WHEREAS, In 1978, Judge Lee retired from office to become the 
first general manager of the Palo Duro River Authority; the 
highlight of his tenure in that role was the creation of the Palo 
Duro Dam, which was completed in 1990 and has enabled the lake to 
become a popular recreational attraction for the region and a vital 
water resource; he retired from the PDRA in 1993; and
	WHEREAS, A man of great integrity and dedication, Johnnie C. 
Lee enjoyed the admiration and respect of countless people 
throughout his life, and although he is deeply missed by those who 
knew him, his spirit lives on in the legacy of positive 
contributions he made to his fellow citizens; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby pay special tribute to the 
memory of the Honorable Johnnie C. Lee and extend deepest sympathy 
to the members of his family: to his wife of 58 years, Dana Jo Ann 
Hoskins Lee; to his children, Jock Douglas, Jolinda, and Johnette; 
to his eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and to 
the many other relatives and friends of this fine man; 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 the 
Honorable Johnnie C. Lee.