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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, A full and productive life drew to a close with the |
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passing of Robert Paul McFarland of Alpine on February 20, 2011, at |
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the age of 89; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in Eastland on January 2, 1922, Bob McFarland |
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was the son of Paul and Verna McFarland, and the oldest of six |
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children; as a boy, he caught frogs in Lake Leon and took care of |
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what he claimed was "the world's greatest cow"; he worked with the |
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Gorman Peanut Growers Association and then joined the United States |
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Army to serve his country during World War II; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. McFarland graduated from The University of Texas |
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School of Engineering in 1950; in the course of his distinguished |
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career, he built factories, skyscrapers, and even a rocket sled |
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while employed by the Robert E. McKee Company; Mr. McFarland's |
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engineering projects included the Dallas/Fort Worth International |
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Airport, Texas Instruments plants around the world, and the old |
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First National Bank Building in Dallas, which was thought to be the |
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tallest building west of the Mississippi at one time; and |
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WHEREAS, Devoted to his family, Mr. McFarland shared a |
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rewarding marriage with his wife, Myra Jo, until her passing, and he |
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was a proud father and grandfather as well; in 1998, Mr. McFarland |
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moved to Alpine and became "Granddad" to a number of local children; |
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he enjoyed treating them to fresh-baked cookies and entertaining |
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them with his fascinating, hilarious stories, told with a dry wit |
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and a distinct Eastland accent; in addition, he was an avid fan of |
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the UT Longhorn and Dallas Cowboys football teams and loved to cheer |
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them on with his sister Peggy; and |
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WHEREAS, Bob McFarland will be deeply missed by all who were |
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privileged to know him, and they will forever cherish their |
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memories of happy times spent in his company; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to Robert Paul McFarland and extend |
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sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his daughter, |
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Carla, and her life partner, John Green; to his grandchildren, |
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Robert and Michelle Williamson; and to his other relatives and |
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friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Bob |
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McFarland. |