SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1
 
 
  In Memory
  of
  Ervin Clower
         WHEREAS, Family and friends will forever cherish their
  memories of Ervin Gafford Clower of the Lake Devernia community in
  Longview, who passed away on May 6, 2023, at the age of 102; and
         WHEREAS, The son of Johnathan Shelby Clower and Virginia
  Lee Gafford Clower, Ervin Clower was born in Paducah on
  November 9, 1920, and he grew up with the companionship of five
  siblings, Earl, Johnathan, Virginia, Mary Anna, and Alice
  Cathryn; he graduated from Matador High School in 1939; and
         WHEREAS, Answering his nation's call to duty, Mr. Clower
  joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in January 1943, and he served in
  Italy during World War II; a flight engineer and gunner on the Merry
  Barbara aircraft, his assignments included a bombing mission over
  Ploesti, Romania, that resulted in an emergency landing in the
  Adriatic Sea; after surviving 24 hours in the ocean, he was rescued
  by a fisherman and taken to Bari, Italy; he was discharged in
  September 1945 and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the
  Purple Heart, and the Air Medal; and
         WHEREAS, Returning to Texas, Mr. Clower earned a
  bachelor's degree in geology from Texas Christian University; he
  went on to enjoy a rewarding career with Natural Gas Pipeline,
  where he worked as a geologist for many years before his
  retirement in 1980; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Clower shared a fulfilling union with his
  wife, the former Ouita Lois Burrell, that spanned seven decades
  before her passing; he took great pride in their three children,
  Daniel, David, and Lynda, and over the years, he was further
  blessed with seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren;
  and
         WHEREAS, Deeply dedicated to his family and his country,
  Ervin Clower earned the lasting respect and admiration of all who
  were privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
  Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory
  of Ervin Gafford Clower and extend heartfelt sympathy to the
  members of his family:  to his sister, Alice Cathryn Gazaway; to
  his sons, Daniel Clower and his wife, Nicholette, and David
  Clower and his partner, Martin Hart; to his daughter, Lynda
  Clower and her husband, Jim Andree; to his grandchildren and
  great-grandchildren; and to his other relatives and friends;
  and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
  prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns
  this day, it do so in memory of Ervin Clower.
 
  Hughes
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on June 28, 2023, by a
    rising vote.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate