H.R. No. 86
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The certain knowledge of a life well lived may
temper the profound sadness brought by the passing of Walter Fred
Johnson, Sr., of Abilene on December 21, 2004, at the age of 88; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson was born on November 15, 1916, in the Rio
Grande Valley, and throughout his rich life, the Lone Star spirit of
hard work and independence guided him to leave a lasting mark on the
Texas banking industry and the Abilene area; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from Lyford High School, Mr.
Johnson began his career in banking as a bookkeeper with the First
National Bank of Raymondville; his career was temporarily
interrupted by the outbreak of World War II, and this Army Air Corps
bombardier flew 44 combat missions in the European Theater, earning
the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroism; and
WHEREAS, In 1954, Mr. Johnson arrived in his adopted home of
Abilene, where he became the youngest president of Farmers and
Merchants National Bank, later renamed First National Bank of
Abilene; over the next two decades, he led that venerable
institution with great wisdom and vision, and many credit his
steady guidance for keeping the Texas banking industry on solid
footing during the postwar boom of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s; and
WHEREAS, This respected civic leader kept abreast of local
business affairs and encouraged prosperity in the community as
president of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce; he also served as vice
president and director of the Texas Research League, campaign chair
for the Abilene Intercollegiate School of Nursing, and chair of an
important Taylor County citizen's committee that championed the
building of Abilene's city hall, civic center, airport, and zoo;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson shared his vast knowledge and expertise
with his colleagues as president of the Texas Bankers Association
and as a member of the National Advisory Committee of Comptroller of
the Currency, and he committed time to helping the less fortunate as
campaign chair of the Abilene United Way and as a member of the
board of the Hendrick Home for Children; and
WHEREAS, In 1973, Mr. Johnson helped to establish First
Abilene Bankshares, now known as First Financial Bankshares, a
multibank holding company; he served as board chairman until his
retirement in 1986 and remained on the board until 1992; and
WHEREAS, The keen business acumen and dedication
demonstrated by this notable Texan earned him a host of accolades,
including recognition as the 1958 Abilene Citizen of the Year and as
the most-influential Abilenian, as well as honors from the United
Way and the local chamber of commerce; and
WHEREAS, Above all else, Mr. Johnson was devoted to his large
and close-knit family, and his time on this earth was greatly
enriched by his inspirational partnership with his wife of 60
years, Virginia; and
WHEREAS, Those fortunate enough to have known Walter Johnson
will long remember him not only as one of Abilene's most influential
businessmen and civic leaders but also as a true Texas gentleman;
although he is greatly missed, his legacy lives on in the
immeasurable impact of his many contributions to the city of
Abilene; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas
Legislature hereby pay special tribute to the life of Walter Fred
Johnson, Sr., and extend deepest sympathy to the members of his
family: to his wife, Virginia Pearce Johnson; to his sons, Walter
Fred Johnson, Jr., and his wife, Susan, and Larry Chris Johnson and
his wife, Anne; to his grandchildren, Brian Johnson and his wife,
Gail, and Eric, Kevin, Lila, and Elizabeth Johnson; to his
great-grandson, Alan Johnson; to his brother, Calvin Johnson and
his wife, Irene; to his sisters-in-law, Marion and Gwen Johnson;
and to his other relatives and many 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 Walter
Fred Johnson, Sr.
Hunter
Craddick Geren Menendez
Allen of Harris Giddings Merritt
Allen of Dallas Gonzales Miller
Alonzo Gonzalez Toureilles Moreno of Harris
Anchia Goodman Moreno of El Paso
Anderson Goolsby Morrison
Bailey Griggs Mowery
Baxter Grusendorf Naishtat
Berman Guillen Nixon
Blake Haggerty Noriega
Bohac Hamilton Oliveira
Bonnen Hamric Olivo
Branch Hardcastle Orr
Brown of Kaufman Harper-Brown Otto
Brown of Brazos Hartnett Paxton
Burnam Hegar Pena
Callegari Herrero Phillips
Campbell Hilderbran Pickett
Casteel Hill Pitts
Castro Hochberg Puente
Chavez Hodge Quintanilla
Chisum Homer Raymond
Coleman Hope Reyna
Cook of Navarro Hopson Riddle
Cook of Colorado Howard Ritter
Corte Hughes Rodriguez
Crabb Hunter Rose
Crownover Hupp Seaman
Davis of Harris Isett Smith of Tarrant
Davis of Dallas Jackson Smith of Harris
Dawson Jones of Lubbock Smithee
Delisi Jones of Dallas Solis
Denny Keel Solomons
Deshotel Keffer of Dallas Strama
Driver Keffer of Eastland Swinford
Dukes King of Parker Talton
Dunnam King of Zavala Taylor
Dutton Kolkhorst Thompson
Edwards Krusee Truitt
Eiland Kuempel Turner
Eissler Laney Uresti
Elkins Laubenberg Van Arsdale
Escobar Leibowitz Veasey
Farabee Luna Villarreal
Farrar Madden Vo
Flores Martinez West
Flynn Martinez Fischer Wong
Frost McCall Woolley
Gallego McClendon Zedler
Gattis McReynolds
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 86 was unanimously adopted by a rising
vote of the House on February 10, 2005.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House