81R34186 JNC-D
By: Moody H.R. No. 2931
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Lone Star State lost an admired public servant
with the passing of the Honorable Stephen Franklin Preslar of El
Paso on March 2, 2009, at the age of 90; and
WHEREAS, A native of Coleman County, Stephen Preslar was born
to Sanford and Cora Preslar on March 27, 1918; he graduated from
Ranger High School and went on to attend the University of North
Carolina, the University of Iowa, Carmell College, and George
Washington University, where he earned his J.D.; and
WHEREAS, Judge Preslar worked in Washington, D.C., as a
fingerprint specialist with the FBI and as an officer for the United
States Capitol Police from 1940 though 1950, and he further served
his country in the U.S. Navy and Naval Air Corps during World War
II; and
WHEREAS, Returning to his beloved home state, Judge Preslar
practiced law in McCamey for 13 years; as his legal career evolved,
he was elected Upton County Attorney and later District Judge for
the 112th Judicial District; in 1963, this esteemed Texan was
appointed by Governor John Connally as Associate Justice of the
Eighth Court of Appeals in El Paso; in 1973, he was named the 10th
Chief Justice of the Eighth Court of Appeals, and for a decade after
his retirement in 1986, he continued to work as a visiting judge;
and
WHEREAS, Chief Justice Preslar was a distinguished jurist who
dedicated his life to the service of the people of Texas; a mentor
and model of public service to three generations of judges and
attorneys, he is also credited with developing legislation that
created and dedicated funding for county law libraries across the
state; and
WHEREAS, Devoted to his family, Chief Justice Preslar shared
62 years with his wife, Avis McKelvain Preslar, who was his constant
and true companion, offering him encouragement and support
throughout their marriage; he was also the proud and loving father
of three sons, Stephen, Samuel, and Robert; and
WHEREAS, Imbued with a deep commitment to fairness and the
law, Judge Preslar contributed immeasurably to his community, his
country, and his profession, and the wide respect and admiration he
enjoyed testify to the profound impact of his life and legacy; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Chief Justice Stephen
Franklin Preslar and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his
family: to his wife, Avis Preslar; to his son, Robert Lee Preslar;
to his grandchildren, Kim, Allison, Sarah, and Kelsey; to his
great-grandchildren, Dean and Vaughn; to his colleagues on the
Eighth Court of Appeals; 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 Judge
Stephen Preslar.