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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, A life lived with joy and purpose drew to a close |
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with the passing of Gene Graham on March 19, 2023, at the age of 90; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, The son of Talbert Edgar Graham and Jessie Vivian |
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McDaniel, Gene Graham was born in Raymondville on January 19, 1933; |
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he graduated from Raymondville High School in 1950 and earned a |
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degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M University; answering |
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his nation's call to duty, he joined the United States Army, where |
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he served as a tank commander and rose to the rank of captain before |
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being honorably discharged; and |
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WHEREAS, Returning to civilian life, Mr. Graham worked for |
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the Texas Highway Department in South Texas and for the Heldenfels |
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Brothers Construction Company in Corpus Christi; he later moved to |
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North Padre Island and became president of Padre Isles Investment |
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Corporation, where he played an instrumental role in building the |
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Padre Isles Country Club; he went on to establish his own |
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construction company and worked as a real estate broker and land |
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developer, helping create several subdivisions in the Flour Bluff |
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and Chapman Ranch areas of Corpus Christi; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Graham and his wife, Veda, shared a fulfilling |
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union that spanned more than half a century before her passing in |
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2010; they became the parents of two children, Gary and Gail, as |
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well as a "bonus son," Alex, and the family later grew to include |
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numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; in all his |
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endeavors, Mr. Graham drew strength from his Christian beliefs, and |
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he made use of his engaging sense of humor and his gifts as a |
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storyteller to share his message of faith; and |
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WHEREAS, Those fortunate enough to have known Gene Graham |
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will remember the way he touched their lives with his generosity and |
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charm, and he will forever hold a treasured place in their hearts; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Gene Graham and |
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extend heartfelt condolences to the members of his family: to his |
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children, Gary Graham and his wife, Rachelle, and Gail Blair and her |
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husband, Howard; to his grandchildren, Trent Pruett and his wife, |
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Elise, Cody Blair and his wife, DeAnna, Kari Jacobs and her husband, |
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Paul, Shari Graham, Tyler Pruett, Mari Heckroth and her husband, |
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Keith, and Grace Graham; to his great-grandchildren; and to his |
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other relatives and many 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 Gene |
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Graham. |