83R18284 LB-D
By: Springer H.R. No. 1223
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew to
a close with the passing of Louis Pitcock, Jr., of Graham on March
22, 2013, at the age of 88; and
WHEREAS, The son of Louis and Medora Shepherd Pitcock, Louis
Pitcock, Jr., was born on June 18, 1924, in Fort Worth, and he
graduated from Graham High School in 1942; answering his country's
call to duty, he worked in intelligence during World War II as a
member of the U.S. armed forces in the China-Burma-India theater;
he began his college studies at the University of North Texas and
then transferred to Southwestern University, where he earned a
bachelor's degree in government and history and was a member of Phi
Delta Theta fraternity; and
WHEREAS, Following his graduation in 1949, he married the
former Mary Ellen McFarlane, the daughter of congressman and Texas
state legislator W. D. McFarlane, and Mr. and Mrs. Pitcock later
became the parents of three children, Ellen, Louis, and Thomas; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Pitcock made his living working with his father
and brothers at Pitcock, Inc., a business encompassing oil and gas
development and production, ranching, and real estate; highly
respected by his professional peers, he was a member of the boards
of the West Central Texas Oil and Gas Association, the North Texas
Oil and Gas Association, and the Independent Petroleum Association
of America, and he belonged to the Texas Alliance of Energy
Producers; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Pitcock was dedicated to enhancing the quality
of public and higher education throughout his life, and he was
appointed by Governor John B. Connally to the board of regents for
Midwestern State University, serving from 1968 to 1974 and holding
the post of chair for two years; at the local level, he chaired the
Graham Community Committee, which focused on postsecondary
academic and vocational learning, and he helped draft the ordinance
to establish the Board of Higher Education Commission of the City of
Graham; his involvement with his alma mater included service with
the Southwestern University President's Council and the 50-plus
Southwestern Alumni Association; moreover, he was a member of the
Phi Delta Theta Century Club, and in 1990 he was named Distinguished
Alumnus of the Year by the Texas Gamma Chapter of Phi Delta Theta;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Pitcock also contributed to his community in
numerous other ways; active in Rotary International, he held a
number of offices in the Rotary Club of Graham, was governor of
Rotary District 5790 for 10 years, and led a Rotary Foundation Group
Study Exchange Team to India in 1986; this dynamic Texan served on
the board of directors of the Graham Chamber of Commerce and as a
member of the Graham Planning and Zoning Commission, and he chaired
the Graham United Way, the Graham Area Day Care Center, and the
Graham Public Library; and
WHEREAS, A lifelong man of faith, he was a valued member of
the First United Methodist Church of Graham, and he benefited the
congregation in many areas of responsibility; in addition, he
served his community of faith at the district level, was a delegate
to general conferences, and served on the boards of trustees of the
Methodist Children's Home in Waco and Aldersgate Enrichment Center
in Brownwood; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Pitcock was interested in politics as well; he
served on the executive committee of the Young County Democratic
Party for three decades, including 12 years as chair, and he was a
delegate to a number of state conventions; in his spare time, he
loved to travel, and in 2007 he and Mrs. Pitcock had the pleasure of
taking a trip around the world; and
WHEREAS, Although the passing of Louis Pitcock, Jr., has
brought great sorrow to those who knew him, his life stands as an
outstanding example of positive civic engagement, and his
achievements will be remembered and admired for years to come; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Louis Pitcock, Jr.,
and extend deepest sympathy to the members of his family: to his
wife, Mary; to his daughter, Ellen Morris, and her husband,
Charles; to his sons, Louis Pitcock III and his wife, Meredith, and
Thomas Carl Pitcock; to his grandchildren, Mary Heartfield and her
husband, Alex, Amanda Wells and her husband, Eric, Justin Pitcock
and his wife, Kallie, Dalton Pitcock and his wife, Gabby, and
Meredith Ann Pitcock; to his nine great-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 Louis
Pitcock, Jr.