81R13398 JKB-D
By: Zerwas H.R. No. 702
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, An inspiring couple whose lives have been enhanced
by a great and enduring love, Ralph and Carolyn Zerwas of Katy are
celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary on March 4, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Ralph Zerwas and the former Carolyn Gray met when
they were next-door neighbors in Muskogee, Oklahoma, in the years
after World War II; Mr. Zerwas was a young army veteran who had
served in the South Pacific and was living with his family after
returning stateside; he and Carolyn began dating, and the two were
married in 1949 in Tulsa, where Mr. Zerwas was studying business on
the G.I. Bill; and
WHEREAS, A member of the Oklahoma National Guard, Mr. Zerwas
was returned to active duty as an infantry officer with the outbreak
of the Korean War in the early 1950s; the couple's first child, Mary
Ann, was born while he was on his way to Korea, but Mrs. Zerwas
helped keep the family connected by placing a picture of her husband
in the baby's crib; and
WHEREAS, After concluding his war service and graduating from
the University of Tulsa, Mr. Zerwas took a job with Gulf Oil Company
while Mrs. Zerwas focused on home life; four additional children,
Ralph, John, James, and Martha, joined the household, and the
family lived in a variety of locations around the country as
Mr. Zerwas took on new career challenges; and
WHEREAS, This devoted husband and wife have seen their family
grow ever larger with the passing years, and they now delight in
spending time with their 11 grandchildren, John, Emmett, Emily,
Jamie, Haley, Joseph, Brandon, Sherry, Joey, Carolyn, and Katie;
they returned to Muskogee after Mr. Zerwas retired in 1983 and
recently relocated to Katy to be closer to their loved ones; and
WHEREAS, While innumerable changes have taken place in the
world during the past six decades, Ralph and Carolyn Zerwas have
remained constant in their commitment to one another, and the
strength of their love has enabled them to meet life's challenges
with grace and optimism; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Ralph and Carolyn Zerwas on the
occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary and extend to them
sincere best wishes for continued success and happiness; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. and Mrs. Zerwas as an expression of high regard by
the Texas House of Representatives.