SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 15

In Memory

of

Curtis Williams Mewbourne

WHEREAS, A full and generous life drew to a close with the passing of Curtis Williams Mewbourne of Tyler on June 23, 2022, at the age of 86; and

WHEREAS, The son of Ruth and Curtis Mewbourne, Mr. Mewbourne was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on November 14, 1935, and he grew up with a brother, Tom; he enjoyed a wonderful childhood, working on his parents' ranch, visiting his grandmother in New Orleans, and working dogs and hunting quail; a gifted athlete, he helped win a state title in track, and he played quarterback for the 1953 state championship football team at Byrd High School; as a student there, he met the love of his life, the former Joanne Zaenglein; the couple married on March 7, 1959, and they shared a fulfilling union that spanned more than six decades; he took great pride in their daughters, Dorothy, Ruth, and Julie, and their grandchildren, Cameron, Kirby, Morgan, Hale, Anna, Merritte, Williams, and Griffin; and

WHEREAS, In 1957, Mr. Mewbourne earned a degree in petroleum engineering at the University of Oklahoma, where he joined the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, and he went on to serve in the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant with the Arlington National Cemetery honor guard; he subsequently embarked on a successful career in the oil industry, working with Arkansas Fuel Oil Company in Shreveport and later with First National Bank in Dallas; in 1965, he established Mewbourne Oil Company, and the business grew to become one of the largest privately owned oil and gas companies in the nation, as well as the top supporter of student scholarships and internships at OU in the past 25 years; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of Mr. Mewbourne's accomplishments, OU named the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy and the Mewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering in his honor; his other accolades include the Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Oil and Gas Association, the Top Hand award from the Permian Basin Petroleum Association, the Trailblazer award from OU, and an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from OU; moreover, he endowed seven Mewbourne Chairs in Petroleum Engineering and the Mewbourne Professorship in Petroleum Engineering at the university; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Mewbourne moved with his family to Tyler in 1971, and he gave of his time and resources to benefit All Saints Episcopal School, St. John's School in Houston, the music department at Tyler Junior College, Methodist Children's Home, the Salvation Army, and PATH Junior Achievement, among other organizations; he was also a longtime member of Marvin United Methodist Church; above all else, he delighted in spending time with his loved ones, and he especially liked hosting Thanksgiving celebrations at his Lazy M ranch in Oklahoma; and

WHEREAS, Curtis Mewbourne lived a life that was rich in personal and professional achievements, and he will forever be a source of inspiration to those he leaves behind; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the memory of Curtis Williams Mewbourne 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 Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Curtis Mewbourne.

Hughes

________________________________

President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on January 18, 2023, by a rising vote.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate