87R18098 BHH-D
 
  By: Hughes S.C.R. No. 43
 
 
 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
         WHEREAS, The city of Tyler lost an esteemed civic leader and a
  friend to many with the passing of Michael Phillip Smith on July 3,
  2020, at the age of 74; and
         WHEREAS, A Fort Worth native, Michael Smith was born to Betty
  and Sam K. Smith on October 27, 1945; while still an undergrad at
  Texas Tech University, he was recruited by Lubbock's then-mayor,
  Dr. Jim Granberry, to work in city government; Mr. Smith became
  head of the health department and later served as top aide to Austin
  mayor Roy Butler; subsequently, he ran Dr. Granberry's
  gubernatorial campaign before joining a Dallas investment firm and
  opening his first business, the themed bar It's Magic; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Smith found the perfect outlet for his
  entrepreneurial spirit after Dr. Granberry hired him again for a
  marketing project in Tyler; noting that the community lacked an ad
  agency, Mr. Smith taught himself about the industry, and in 1977,
  he launched the Rénard Group out of an office building's
  maintenance closet; the firm grew to become a major player in the
  field of advertising, with a wide range of local, state, and
  national accounts; many of Mr. Smith's clients became close
  friends, and he personally invested in their dreams and helped them
  achieve their goals; expanding his business interests, he opened
  the State Bar and Deli and purchased Tyler Today, which he developed
  into a popular local interest magazine; he cared deeply about all
  his employees and showed tremendous kindness to them through the
  years; and
         WHEREAS, Highly engaged in civic life, Mr. Smith was active
  in the local Republican Party, managing and advising campaigns for
  office; in addition, he served several terms on the city planning
  commission and gave generously of his time and talents to
  worthwhile organizations, including Historic Tyler and the Order of
  the Rose; he led a group that championed the preservation of the
  trees along South Broadway Avenue, and he was a founding member of
  the city Crime Stoppers board; moreover, he served on the board of
  the Salvation Army of Tyler and several other nonprofits; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Smith married the love of his life, Dominique
  Cronin, in 1983, and they became the proud parents of a daughter,
  Désirée, and a son, Wyatt; devoted to his children, Mr. Smith
  instilled strong values in them during long and meaningful
  conversations, and he shared his great love of history on family
  trips around the world; in recent years, he found joy in precious
  moments with his treasured granddaughters, Christine and Victoria;
  he was a longtime member of Christ Episcopal Church and liked to
  discuss religion and sing hymns, though his volume was perhaps more
  commendable than his pitch; his gregarious, larger-than-life
  personality brought him myriad friendships, and he also found time
  to read voraciously; cherishing traditions of all kinds, he
  delighted in immutable holiday menus, Tuesday night poker games,
  and his annual St. Patrick's Day extravaganza, and he was loyal to
  the Dallas Cowboys, the New York Yankees, and his alma mater, R. L.
  Paschal High School; and
         WHEREAS, Although the death of Michael Smith has brought
  great sorrow to those who loved him, they will continue to find
  inspiration in his warmth, generosity, and dedication to his
  family, his faith, and his community; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the 87th Legislature of the State of Texas
  hereby pay tribute to the memory of Michael Phillip Smith and extend
  sincere sympathy to all who mourn his passing; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
  Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of
  Michael Smith.