81R14008 JKB-D
By: Legler H.R. No. 940
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Residents of Pasadena lost a valued community leader
with the passing of Donald Ray Carpenter, Sr., on March 1, 2009, at
the age of 77; and
WHEREAS, Born to William and Claudia Carpenter in Kosse on
July 5, 1931, Donald Carpenter graduated from John H. Reagan High
School and went on to study at The University of Texas and the
University of Houston; he began working for Southwestern Bell
Telephone Company at the age of 17 as a mail room clerk and was
employed by the company for 40 years, eventually retiring as
district manager; moreover, he served his nation as a member of the
Air Force Reserve; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Carpenter devoted himself to his community in
the years following his retirement, serving as president of the
Pasadena Rotary Club and the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and as
chief of staff for the City of Pasadena; possessing a deep knowledge
of local issues and a strong rapport with elected officials, he was
a sought-after political advisor whose opinions were highly
respected, and he was an active member of Park Place Masonic Lodge
and a prominent supporter of the YMCA, the Salvation Army, and
several other charitable causes; when not busy with other projects,
he relished spending time on the golf course; and
WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Mr. Carpenter enjoyed the
love and support of his wife, Barbara, with whom he shared nearly
six decades of marriage; the couple were blessed with three
children, Donald, Darrell, and Barbara, and had the pleasure of
welcoming six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren into
their family; and
WHEREAS, Donald Carpenter lived a caring and purposeful life,
and he will forever hold a treasured place in the hearts of all
those who were privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Donald Ray
Carpenter, Sr., and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his
family: to his wife, Barbara Carpenter; to his children, Donald Ray
Carpenter, Jr., and his wife, Shirley, Darrell Carpenter and his
wife, Barbara, and Barbara Fonville and her husband, Kim; to his
grandchildren, Lisa Ann Carpenter, Darrell Carpenter, Jr., and his
wife, Susie, Donald Ray Carpenter III and his fiancee, Lindsay
Overfield, Brandi Nicole Vorse and her husband, Brandon, Kimberly
Fonville, and Crystal VanPutten; to his great-grandchildren, Cade
Walker Carpenter and Katlyn and Nathan VanPutten; to his niece,
Theresa Ann Works; 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
Carpenter.