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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The untimely passing of Lawrence Tyler Francis on |
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November 24, 2014, at the age of 29, brought an immeasurable loss to |
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the many people who were fortunate enough to share in the life of |
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this extraordinary young Texan; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in El Paso on March 6, 1985, to Rick and Ginger |
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Francis, Tyler Francis graduated with a bachelor's degree in |
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organizational communication from The University of Texas at El |
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Paso and subsequently earned an MBA from Texas Tech University in |
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2011; and |
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WHEREAS, The son of a bank chairman and the grandson of a |
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former El Paso mayor, Mr. Francis surprised many when he chose to |
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pursue a career in aviation; he developed a passion for flying early |
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on, building radio-controlled airplanes at the age of 10 and |
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purchasing his first plane in graduate school; he gained invaluable |
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experience working at Blue Feather Aero, a fixed-base operator at |
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the Doña Ana County International Jetport in Santa Teresa, New |
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Mexico, and he bought the company in December 2012, renaming it |
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Francis Aviation; under his leadership, the enterprise thrived and |
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quickly expanded its operations to the Las Cruces International |
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Airport; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Francis further distinguished himself through |
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his contributions to his community; he served on the boards of the |
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Doña Ana County International Jetport, the War Eagles Air Museum, |
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and the Amigo Airsho and on the Boy Scouts of America Yucca Council; |
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he was also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and the |
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General Society of Mayflower Descendants; and |
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WHEREAS, Always eager for a new challenge or adventure, |
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Mr. Francis enjoyed countless hours of hiking, camping, and skiing, |
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and he looked back on his climb past Advanced Base Camp on Mount |
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Everest as one of his most exhilarating experiences; his enthusiasm |
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and positive outlook called forth the best in everyone around him, |
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and his warmth, kind spirit, and natural charm seldom failed to |
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brighten their days; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Francis devoted himself to a wide range of |
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pursuits, but he treasured the moments he spent with his family |
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above all else; on October 30, 2013, he exchanged wedding vows with |
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the love of his life, Sara Paben; their relationship was a source of |
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much happiness and fulfillment to him, and he was anticipating the |
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arrival of their first child, Tyler Elizabeth-Jean Francis, in |
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March 2015; and |
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WHEREAS, Although his years on this earth were far too few, |
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the joy that Tyler Francis brought to his loved ones will never be |
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forgotten, and the example of his life will forever inspire them to |
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seize each day and to reach boldly for their dreams; now, therefore, |
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be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Tyler Francis and |
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extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his |
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wife, Sara Francis; to his parents, Rick and Ginger Francis; to his |
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sister, Lauren Steinmann, and her husband, John; to his |
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grandparents, Doris and Rollo Gurss and Marilyn and Larry Francis; |
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to his parents-in-law, Nancy and John Paben; and to his many other |
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relatives and 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 Tyler |
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Francis. |