79R2626 BJM-D

By:  Hilderbran                                                   H.R. No. 434



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, A full and rewarding life came to a close with the 
passing of John Studer Graves of Uvalde on October 25, 2004, at the 
age of 86; and
	WHEREAS, Born on August 17, 1918, Jack Graves attended Uvalde 
High School and excelled in academics, athletics, and the arts; 
following his graduation as valedictorian in 1936, he enrolled in 
The University of Texas Architecture School; and
	WHEREAS, His college experience was equally impressive; the 
recipient of numerous awards and an honors graduate, Mr. Graves 
served as president of Tau Sigma Delta and was a member of the 
Sphinx Society and Alpha Rho Chi before earning his diploma in 1941; 
and
	WHEREAS, Answering his country's call to serve, Mr. Graves 
joined the U.S. Navy's Photographic Interpron Group I and used his 
talents to analyze photographic intelligence in the Pacific; he was 
stationed in both Guam and Okinawa during the war, and following its 
conclusion, he helped map the islands off the Japanese coast; and
	WHEREAS, After his discharge from the Navy, Mr. Graves 
returned to Uvalde to start his own architecture business and to 
raise a family with his wife, Vida "Billie" Helen Neal, with whom he 
enjoyed a loving marriage until her death in 1991; fortunate to find 
love again, he married Lillian Little in 1997 and they shared five 
happy years together before he again became a widower; and a man who 
never quite got around to retiring, he practiced architecture for 
58 years, leaving behind a host of buildings, each a testament to 
his talent and expertise; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Graves was a highly regarded community leader 
whose devotion to his hometown, state, and profession benefitted 
the lives of countless individuals; locally, the Uvalde City 
Council, the city planning board, the chamber of commerce, and the 
Uvalde Tree Board were strengthened by his involvement, as were the 
South Texas Chamber of Commerce, the Boy Scout Camp Fawcett 
Development Committee, the El Progreso Memorial Library Board, the 
Concan Baptist Church, and the Uvalde Historical Society, which he 
served by overseeing the restoration and preservation of the Janey 
Slaughter Briscoe Grand Opera House; in recognition of his many 
civic efforts, he was lauded as the Uvalde  Chamber of Commerce 
Citizen of the Year in 1964; and
	WHEREAS, At both the state and national levels, Mr. Graves 
gave of his time and talents as a member of the American Institute 
of Architects, the Society of American Registered Architects, the 
National Architectural Examination Committee, and the Texas 
Society of Architects; in addition, he was chairman of the Texas 
Board of Architectural Examiners, director of the Southern 
Conference of the National Council of Architectural Registration 
Boards, and for four terms, president of the Nueces River 
Authority, during which time he was influential in the development 
of Choke Canyon Dam; and
	WHEREAS, In all aspects of his life, Jack Graves set a 
sterling example of excellence to which all may aspire, and his 
legacy will live on in the hearts of those whose lives he so richly 
blessed; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay special tribute to the life of John Studer 
Graves and extend deepest sympathy to the members of his family: to 
his children and their spouses, Janeal and Chris Prickett, John S. 
Graves, Jr., and his wife, Carol, Gayle Korbell, Jody and Bo Farr, 
and Brian and Terri Graves; to his sisters and brother-in-law, 
Doris Reynolds and Mary and Joe Hufstedler; to his brothers and 
sisters-in-law, George "Hoot" Graves, Bill and Shirley Graves, and 
Jim and Peggy Graves; to his grandchildren, Lane Prickett, John S. 
"Trey" Graves III, Christy King, Neal Graves, Brooke Korbell, Danna 
Korbell, Emily Korbell, Thomas Farr, and Evan Graves; to his 
great-grandchildren, Christopher Prickett, Gus Prickett, Nancy 
Prickett, Clayton King, Kyle King, Caroline Graves, Ryan Graves, 
and Jackson Graves; and to his 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 John 
Studer Graves.