By: Patrick H.R. No. 29
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The life of an admired education advocate drew to a
close with the passing of Ronald Gene Howell of Arlington on April
12, 2011, at the age of 79; and
WHEREAS, Born in Colorado City to Buford and Minnie Howell on
June 30, 1931, Ron Howell graduated from Hardin-Simmons University
in 1952 with a double major in history and chemistry and a double
minor in math and education; he married the former Ann McAuley in
1954; they raised three children and were together for 44 years
until Mrs. Howell passed away; fortunate enough to find love again,
Mr. Howell married Sherry Kever in 2000; and
WHEREAS, During his two decades working as a chemist at
Johnson & Johnson, Mr. Howell noticed a lack of American job
candidates with proper science backgrounds; to combat the problem,
he helped to create a summer science program for elementary school
teachers at The University of Texas at Arlington; he also cofounded
the AWARE Foundation to encourage and reward Arlington teachers;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Howell was a strong supporter of the UT
Arlington College of Nursing and served on the college's Dream
Makers scholarship committee; moreover, he personally funded
scholarships for deserving students attending a variety of
colleges; his advocacy earned him a Heroes for Children award from
the State Board of Education in 1994, and he was named Man of the
Year by both the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Arlington
Citizen-Journal in 1995; and
WHEREAS, Ron Howell lived a rich and purposeful life centered
around his family and his desire to promote quality education, and
he will long be remembered with deep affection by all who knew him;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Ronald Gene Howell
and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his
wife, Sherry Kever Howell; to his sons, Ronald Gene Howell, Jr., and
his wife, Brenda, and Brian Howell and his wife, Heather; to his
daughter, Alice Browder, and her husband, Jim; to his
stepdaughters, Marsha Wolfe and her husband, Paul, and Lisa Harry
and her husband, David; to his seven grandchildren and six
step-grandchildren; 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 Ron Howell.