82R19353 MGR-D
By: Flynn H.R. No. 1189
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The 99th birthday of an esteemed Texan is indeed
cause for celebration, and Roy DeWitt Deen of Wills Point is marking
that special day on November 24, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Born in Van Zandt County in 1912 to John and Duron
Deen, DeWitt Deen was the second of five children; in his youth, he
helped grow cotton and grain on the family farm, and he graduated
from Wills Point High School in 1931; two years later, his father
established J. E. Deen's & Sons in Wills Point, selling tractors and
farm equipment, and the business, now known as the Deen Implement
Company, is still owned by members of the family today; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Deen married Mary Sue Hall of Canton on April 11,
1941, and they soon thereafter moved to a 100-acre property in the
Enterprise community north of Wills Point; over the course of the
next 70 years, Mr. Dean accumulated nearly 1,600 acres of land and
transitioned from farming to ranching; he continues to be involved
in the daily operations of his ranch; a member of the Texas and
Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, he has also served on the
board of the Van Zandt County branch of the Texas Farm Bureau and
chaired a tri-county soil and water conservation board; and
WHEREAS, For nearly 60 years, Mr. Deen enjoyed the love and
support of his wife, Mary Sue, until her passing in 2001, and the
couple shared in the joy of welcoming into their family six
children, Sarah, Donna, David, Roy, Thomas, and Eddie; Mr. Deen's
family has since grown to include 13 grandchildren and 6
great-grandchildren, and he takes great pride in the fact that all
of his children as well as seven grandchildren and three
great-grandchildren graduated from the same high school he
attended; and
WHEREAS, Thought to be the oldest member of the First Baptist
Church of Wills Point, DeWitt Deen is a source of wisdom and
inspiration to all who are privileged to know him, and it is a
pleasure to honor him on nearly a century of life well lived; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Roy DeWitt Deen on his 99th
birthday and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued
happiness; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Deen as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.