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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The certain knowledge of a life well lived may |
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temper the sorrow felt at the passing of former state |
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representative Frank Kell Cahoon of Midland on January 31, 2013, at |
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the age of 78; and |
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WHEREAS, Born on June 20, 1934, in Austin, Frank Cahoon was |
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raised in Wichita Falls, where he received early lessons in both |
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entrepreneurship and community service from his grandfather and |
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namesake, Frank Kell, one of the city's early pioneers and leaders; |
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after graduating from high school, he enrolled at the Colorado |
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School of Mines, and then transferred to The University of Texas at |
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Austin after being introduced to his future wife, Paula Powers, |
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while working in the Texas oil fields the summer after his freshman |
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year; and |
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WHEREAS, The couple married in 1957, and after Mr. Cahoon |
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earned his bachelor's degree in geology, they moved to Killeen, |
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where he was stationed at Fort Hood as a first lieutenant in the |
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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; in 1959, the family moved to Midland; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Cahoon was elected to represent Midland in the |
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Texas House of Representatives in 1964 and held the distinction of |
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being the only Republican to serve during the 1965 legislative |
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session; he was reelected for a second term before returning home to |
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Midland and pursuing his career as a petroleum entrepreneur, which |
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led to his playing a prominent role in the construction of one of |
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Alaska's first oil refineries and in numerous local energy |
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investments; his service to this state also continued, as he was |
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later appointed to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, This amiable and genteel West Texan was an active |
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and generous supporter of the civic and cultural life of his home |
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community, as well; he served on the Midland City Council and in |
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various volunteer and leadership roles with the Midland Memorial |
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Hospital, the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum, the Museum of the |
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Southwest, the Texas Historical Foundation, the Chihuahuan Desert |
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Ranch Institute, and the First Presbyterian Church; in addition, he |
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took great pride in volunteering and fund-raising for the |
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Commemorative Air Force and the Sibley Nature Center; and |
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WHEREAS, Deeply devoted to his family, Mr. Cahoon was married |
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to his wife, Paula, for 56 years, and together they took the |
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greatest delight in their children and grandchildren; known for his |
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warmth and witty storytelling, Mr. Cahoon had a passion for history |
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and was an avid traveler, a hobby he shared with his family while |
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taking them on trips to the far reaches of the globe; and |
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WHEREAS, Frank Kell Cahoon leaves a legacy of leadership and |
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generosity that will continue to benefit and inspire the people in |
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this state for years to come, and he will be remembered with deep |
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affection and admiration by all who were fortunate enough to share |
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in the richness of his life; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 83rd Legislature of the State of Texas pay |
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tribute to the life of the Honorable Frank Kell Cahoon and extend |
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sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, Paula |
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Cahoon; to his children, Corinne Bowers and her husband, Steve, |
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Frank Kell Cahoon, Jr., and his wife, Debbie, and Joseph Cahoon and |
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his wife, Christie; to his grandchildren, Sara Kell and Beth Bowers |
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and Lucas, Charlie, Claire, John, and Anne Cahoon; to his beloved |
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sister, Lula Jane Seydell; and to his other relatives and many |
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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 and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of |
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the Honorable Frank Kell Cahoon. |