H.R. No. 727
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The long and productive life of an esteemed Texan
drew to a close with the passing of Donald Devaughn Whitefield of
Houston on July 25, 2008, at the age of 86; and
WHEREAS, Born on December 11, 1921, in Bellaire, Ohio, Mr.
Whitefield was educated in Ohio and Michigan and was active in
school debate and band organizations during his youth; in the
dramatic years of World War II, he answered his nation's call to
duty and completed training as a navigator for B-24 aircraft at
Ellington Air Force Base in Houston, where he met his future bride;
and
WHEREAS, This brave airman was sent to England and undertook
the perilous duty of flying bombing runs over Europe with the 492nd,
45th, and 445th Bomb Groups; he ultimately survived 30 missions,
including one of the most disastrous aerial raids of the war, in
which 31 of 35 Allied planes were lost; in recognition of his
exemplary service, he received two Distinguished Flying Crosses,
the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Croix de Guerre;
his skill as an aviator was also recognized during the Korean War,
when he was recalled to active duty as a navigation instructor; and
WHEREAS, When his service in World War II ended, Mr.
Whitefield worked with his father in Ohio before he and his wife,
Billie, moved back to Houston; a self-taught chemist, he began
experimenting with polyurethane in his home laboratory and
developed a method of casting the substance for use in oil field
equipment; this development led to the founding of Whitefield
Plastics, which is now run by his son, Bill; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Whitefield was deeply interested in the civic
affairs of the Lone Star State and was active in promoting the
Republican Party; in 1974, he won his party's nomination for the
District 8 seat in the United States House of Representatives and
ran unsuccessfully against the Democratic incumbent; he also
devoted time to a number of other organizations, including the
Houston Highlander Bagpipe Band, which he served as president and
drum major, the Heather and Thistle Society, Veterans of Foreign
Wars Post No. 8790 in Spring Branch, and the Second Air Division
Association; and
WHEREAS, A member of the generation that faced the challenges
of World War II and helped to build a prosperous nation in the
decades that followed, Donald Whitefield had an enduring impact on
the world around him, and his many achievements will continue to be
a source of inspiration for all who had the pleasure of knowing him;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Donald D. Whitefield
and extend deepest condolences to the members of his family: to his
wife of 65 years, Billie Whitefield; to his children, Patricia
Schwertner and her husband, Ron, and William H. Whitefield and his
wife, Janeal; to his grandchildren, Ryan Schwertner and his wife,
Rachael, Erin Schwertner, Adam Schwertner, Nickolas Currie and his
wife, Laura, Patrice Currie, Laura Currie, Diana Currie, and Dr.
Jenks Currie and his wife, Erica; to his great-grandchildren,
Allison and Samuel Schwertner and Ann Katherine and Garner Currie;
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 Donald
Whitefield.
Bohac
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 727 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on March 19, 2009.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House