H.R. No. 1047
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew to
a close with the death of Tom Gordon of Abilene on June 28, 2010, at
the age of 97; and
WHEREAS, Born in Palestine, Mr. Gordon graduated from
Palestine High School and earned his undergraduate degree at The
University of Texas at Austin; he went on to attend law school at
UT, and served as a legal investigator for the state attorney
general's office while completing his studies; he was admitted to
the Texas Bar in 1937; and
WHEREAS, After launching his legal career, he was joined in
marriage with the former Frances Lawlis, with whom he would share 70
years; Mr. Gordon answered his nation's call to duty during World
War II, serving in the U.S. Army Air Forces from 1942 to 1946; and
WHEREAS, Returning to Texas after his military service, he
joined the legal staff at Vinson, Elkins, Weems and Francis in
Houston and then, in 1950, began his own private practice in
Abilene; he was a member of the State Bar of Texas and a life member
of the Texas Bar Foundation, and from 1970 to 1971, he was president
of the Abilene Bar Association; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Gordon took an active role in public affairs,
and in the 1950s he represented Texas at the White House Conference
on Aging conducted by President Eisenhower; Governor John Connally
appointed him to the State Land Board of Texas in 1967, and he went
on to serve as chair of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission
under five governors; an active member of the Democratic Party, he
was a member of the Rules and Order of Business Committee at the
1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Well known for his work in the energy industry, he
served on the executive, import policy, and natural gas committees
of the Independent Petroleum Association of America; for several
years, he chaired the Liaison Committee, an umbrella group of state
and national independent oil and gas associations; and
WHEREAS, This accomplished civic leader likewise devoted
much time to community organizations in Abilene, where he was chair
of the American Red Cross, Citizens for Better Government, and the
city's Civil Service Commission and was president of the Petroleum
Club of Abilene and the Abilene Fine Arts Museum board; while
heading the Abilene Preservation League in 1984 and 1985, he played
a vital role in the creation of the city's Landmarks Commission, the
Historic Overlay Ordinance, and the Historic Tax Incentive program;
moreover, he was a member of the congregation at St. Paul United
Methodist Church, serving on the board of trustees and teaching
Sunday school; and
WHEREAS, A respected lawyer, a caring family man, and a
dedicated public servant, Tom Gordon excelled in each of these
roles, and the integrity and generosity of spirit with which he
lived his life will continue to inspire all who had the good fortune
to know him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Tom Gordon and
extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his
wife, Frances Lawlis Gordon; to his daughter, Brooke Gordon Cato,
and her husband, George; to his granddaughters, Leigh Gordon DuBose
and her husband, Nathan, Ann Dowling Bernard and her husband,
Tollie, and Maggie Cato and Jay Habayeb; to his
great-granddaughters, Kate Bernard and Frances Bernard; to his
great-grandsons, Gordon DuBose, Tolbert Bernard, and John DuBose;
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 Tom Gordon.
King of Taylor
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1047 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 4, 2011.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House