H.R. No. 49

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Memories of a life filled with joyful times and meaningful accomplishments may bring comfort to the many individuals who are mourning the loss of Denton civic leader L. A. Nelson, Jr., who passed away on June 14, 2006, at the age of 80; and

WHEREAS, The son of Lucy Bernice Wilson and Luther Aldrich Nelson, Sr., L. A. Nelson was born in Hugo, Oklahoma, on April 5, 1926; following his graduation from the local high school, he served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II; and

WHEREAS, This esteemed gentleman attended North Texas State Teachers College, now the University of North Texas, from 1946 to 1948 and then transferred to the University of Oklahoma; recalled to active naval duty in 1950, he served for 17 months during the Korean War before returning to school; he completed a degree in marketing at OU in 1952 and subsequently earned a law degree from The University of Texas; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Nelson devoted much of his time and talents to his beloved community; he served on the Denton City Council from 1966 to 1970, and again in 1974; in 1969, the council appointed him mayor, a position he held until 1970; among his many notable contributions, he supported the creation of Ray Roberts Lake, one of two lakes from which the city gets its drinking water; and

WHEREAS, A past president of the Denton Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Nelson further lent his time to serve on the Flow Memorial Hospital Board of Managers; he was also a leader in his chosen profession, and his peers paid tribute to his legal acumen when they elected him president of the Denton County Bar Association in 1959; and

WHEREAS, Combining his passion for sporting events at the University of North Texas with his organizational talent and energy, Mr. Nelson was tremendously successful in raising funds for the university's athletic programs; his unflagging support was also demonstrated on the sidelines on game day and at every Mean Green Club meeting; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Nelson was a devoted family man who derived great joy from spending time with his loved ones; together with his wife, Martha, he was the parent of six treasured children, Nancy, Michael, Susan, Marcella, Carey Currin, and the late Luther Aldrich Nelson III; and

WHEREAS, Admired by many for his wit and wisdom, L. A. Nelson, Jr., benefited countless people over the course of his lifetime as a strong advocate for legal clients and friends, as well as for the greater community; and

WHEREAS, Although he is deeply missed, Mr. Nelson's family and friends may take comfort from the fact that his was truly a life well lived, and his radiant spirit will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of all those who were privileged to share his love and friendship; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of L. A. Nelson, Jr., and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, Martha Len Nelson; to his children, Nancy Black, Michael Nelson, Susan Wright, Marcella Butler, and Carey Currin; to his eight grandchildren and his great-granddaughter; to his brother, Dr. R. John Nelson; to his sister, Sue Wortz; 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 L. A. Nelson, Jr.

Goolsby

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 49 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on March 1, 2007.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House