H.R. No. 1365
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Memories of a life filled with joyful times and
meaningful accomplishments remain to comfort the family and friends
of Dr. Kenneth John Diehm of Grapevine, who passed away on February
19, 2011, at the age of 52; and
WHEREAS, A native of Oklahoma City, Ken Diehm was born on
March 1, 1958, to Floyd and Emily Diehm; he graduated from
California State University Long Beach in 1980 and went on to earn
his master's degree from Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian
University and his doctoral degree from Asbury Theological Seminary
in Kentucky; this esteemed clergyman led churches in Bixby,
Oklahoma, as well as in Burleson and Cisco, and he served as pastor
of St. Andrew's United Methodist in Arlington for 15 years; and
WHEREAS, In 2005, Dr. Diehm joined First United Methodist
Church of Grapevine; under his guidance, membership increased to
2,600 congregants, and the church grew to include a second campus
and a Spanish-language service; moreover, he worked to provide
outreach to people in need, establishing programs to alleviate
poverty, to offer food and tutoring to schoolchildren, and to
assist residents of villages in Costa Rica and Kenya; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Diehm was also an active member of the Grapevine
community, and he shared his time with the local high school and
Rotary Club and the board of Grapevine Relief and Community
Exchange; in addition, he held such leadership roles as ordained
elder in the Central Texas Conference of the United Methodist
Church and chair of the conference board of pensions and health
benefits; and
WHEREAS, Ken Diehm shared many happy years with his wife,
Kenda Diehm, and he was devoted to their two children, Kallye and
Kody, and their grandson, Julius; in his free time, Dr. Diehm
enjoyed bicycling and sports; and
WHEREAS, Through his strong faith, his generosity, and his
concern for others, Ken Diehm made a positive difference in
countless lives, and he leaves behind a legacy that will forever be
treasured by all those whose lives he touched; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of the Reverend Dr.
Kenneth John Diehm and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his
family: to his wife, Kenda Diehm; to his children, Kallye Johnson
and her husband, Joshua, and Kody Diehm; to his grandson, Julius
Johnson; to his mother, Emily Diehm; to his sister, Jan Gravenor,
and her husband, Ken; and to his other relatives and many 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 Dr. Ken
Diehm.
Truitt
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1365 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on April 28, 2011.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House