81R30946 CBE-D
By: Moody H.R. No. 2048
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Robert Pearson of El Paso, esteemed attorney and
community leader, passed away on December 12, 2008, at the age of
83; and
WHEREAS, Born to Jesse and Ophelia Pearson on October 27,
1925, in Buda, "Ray" Pearson acquired a strong work ethic and desire
to help others as the son of tenant farmers; he enlisted in the U.S.
Navy at the age of 17 and completed a three-year tour of duty before
enrolling at Sam Houston State Teachers College; he went on to earn
a bachelor's of business administration degree from Baylor
University in 1951 and a law degree from The University of Texas at
Austin in 1955; while a law student, he worked nights at the Austin
State School, an experience that reinforced his sense of
compassion; and
WHEREAS, He and his beloved wife, the former Shirley Joyce
Turner, made their home in El Paso, where together they raised two
sons, Brent and Robert, and where Mr. Pearson began his long and
rewarding career as an attorney in private practice; he was
especially concerned with the rights of children and families, and
among his numerous accomplishments was the establishment of the
11th Floor Family Law Courts in the El Paso County Courthouse; in
addition, he belonged to numerous professional organizations,
including the El Paso Bar Association, which he served as
president, the Texas Bar Foundation, of which he was a charter life
fellow, and the El Paso Bar Foundation, of which he was a founding
life fellow; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to his fellow citizens, Mr. Pearson also
distinguished himself through his civic involvement; he served as
chair of the El Paso Housing Authority and the El Paso Water
Utilities Public Service Board, and he volunteered with the
American Heart Association and the Pilot Home for the Elderly; he
was active in politics as well, serving as a delegate to the
Democratic National Convention in 1964, as secretary of the State
Democratic Executive Committee from 1965 to 1968, and as the West
Texas Region point person for Governor John Connally; moreover, he
organized and held weekly political discussion and action meetings
for some 40 years; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Pearson was named an Outstanding Senior Lawyer
by the El Paso Bar Association, and he was recognized for his
advocacy in behalf of families and children by the El Paso Family
Law Bar Association; and
WHEREAS, A man of great generosity, humor, and humility, Ray
Pearson made a positive difference in the city of El Paso, and
although he will be deeply missed, he leaves behind a legacy that
will continue to resonate for many years to come; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Robert Pearson and
extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his sons,
Brent Pearson and his wife, Lourdes, and Robert T. Pearson and his
wife, Susan; to his grandchildren, Evan Zachary, Matthew Brandon,
Carly Ray, and Paige Susan Pearson; and to his other relatives and
many 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 Robert
"Ray" Pearson.