81R5066 JGH-D
By: Naishtat H.R. No. 153
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Family and friends are mourning the loss of John
Edward Davis, Jr., of Austin, who died on December 28, 2008, at the
age of 57; and
WHEREAS, Born in Abilene to John and Dolores Davis on
December 20, 1951, Johnny Davis grew up in Midland, where he played
football for Midland High School; he later earned a degree from The
University of Texas at Austin and began his career in publishing
with the Prentice Hall Company; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Davis went on to make a name for himself as the
talented, self-taught cartographer of a series of maps illustrating
the history of Texas; his "1836 Republic of Texas" and "1845 State
of Texas" maps displayed his deep knowledge of the state's history,
using muted earth tones and a flourished script to detail battle
sites and early settlements; the maps often featured the yellow
rose of Texas as a compass; and
WHEREAS, Hugely popular among Texans in all walks of life,
the maps have been displayed in the offices of governors, state
legislators, and football coach Darrell K. Royal, as well as in bank
lobbies and on the set of the popular television show Walker, Texas
Ranger, and they have been purchased by buyers all over the world;
and
WHEREAS, The passion that Mr. Davis felt for his home state
extended to the land's scenic wonders; he loved hiking and camping
and watching the sun set over Lake Travis; until the end of his
life, he was a dedicated Longhorns fan; and
WHEREAS, Devoted to his family and friends, Johnny Davis was
a warmhearted and exuberant man with a deep commitment to the
history and heritage of the Lone Star State, and the beautiful maps
that he created will continue to delight, educate, and inspire
Texans for generations to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of John Edward Davis,
Jr., and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to
his daughters, Laura Davis Scace and Carolyn Davis; to his former
spouse, Betsy Kerr Davis; to his parents, John and Dolores Davis; to
his brother, Ben Davis; to his soul mate and best friend, Marilyn
Bryan; 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 House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of John Edward
Davis, Jr.