SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 873

In Memory

of

William Arnold McMinn, Jr.

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and commemorates the life of William Arnold McMinn, Jr., who died April 11, 2011, at the age of 80; and

WHEREAS, Bill McMinn was born July 29, 1930, in Clarksdale, Mississippi, to William A. and Mary C. McMinn; he graduated from high school in Clarksville and earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Vanderbilt University in 1952; and

WHEREAS, He met his future wife, Nancy, while attending school in Nashville; the couple enjoyed a loving marriage for 55 years until her death in 2007; and

WHEREAS, Mr. McMinn began his career as a research chemist at Monsanto Chemical in Texas City in 1952, and he went on to hold a number of executive roles with Petro-Tex Chemical, Mississippi Chemical, Delta Industries, and FMC Corporation; and

WHEREAS, He returned to Houston in 1986 and joined the Sterling Group; over the following years, he was involved with some of the most successful business transactions of the era, serving as president of Cain Chemical and as chairman of Arcadian Corporation and Texas Petrochemicals; he was a significant investor in many leading-edge technology companies and served on several boards of directors; and

WHEREAS, Mr. McMinn was a witty, inquisitive, and caring gentleman with many interests; he was a lifelong student of history, physics, and astronomy; he spent nearly 40 years in cattle ranching and owned several ranches across the state; he was active in politics and served on the board of the Associated Republicans of Texas and as chairman of the board of the Texas Public Policy Foundation; and

WHEREAS, He was honored by his alma mater in 1998 with the Distinguished Alumni Award, and he served on the university's Board of Trust from 1993 to 2001; he and his wife shared their success with many worthy charities and educational institutions; generous with his time, expertise, and resources throughout his lifetime, Mr. McMinn was a longtime member of the Brookwood Community Advisory Board; and

WHEREAS, Bill McMinn leaves a legacy of service and dedication to his fellow man that will long be remembered by his family and all those who had the good fortune to know him; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family of William Arnold McMinn, Jr.: his son, William A. McMinn III;

his daughters, Mary M. Ogden, Nancy M. Beasley, and Patricia C. McMinn; his five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; and his two sisters; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of William Arnold McMinn, Jr.

Patrick

________________________________

President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 28, 2011, by a rising vote.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate