H.R. No. 277
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A full and generous life drew to a close with the
passing of Edmond John Ford, Jr., of Corpus Christi on January 21,
2013, at the age of 94; and
WHEREAS, Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, on January 28,
1918, Ed Ford was the son of Edmond and Grace Ford; he was a standout
track and field athlete at Phillips Academy in Andover, and his
strong academic record earned him acceptance to Harvard University,
where he played for the football team and graduated cum laude; and
WHEREAS, In 1942, he exchanged vows with the former Marie
Roberta "Bobbe" Welder; after Mr. Ford earned his law degree from
Harvard, he and his wife relocated to her family's ranch north of
Taft, Texas, which he later operated; together for seven decades,
they were blessed with two daughters, Helen and Grace, and with the
passing years, they had the pleasure of seeing their family grow to
include 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ford proudly served his country as a captain in
the U.S. Army from 1942 until 1945, during which time he trained
pilots and established flight instrument courses in Bryan and
Lubbock; after the war, he began his career in law, specializing in
real estate, oil, and business deals, and served as a judge in the
early 1960s; a prominent community leader, he co-chartered the Bank
of Corpus Christi, which later became IBC Bank, and served as its
chair; he also served as president of the Corpus Christi Country
Club, the Corpus Christi Town Club, and the Corpus Christi Pops
Concert Association and as vice president of the Corpus Christi
Symphony Society; and
WHEREAS, In his leisure time, this dynamic Texan enjoyed
traveling the world with his wife, typically with a few of their
grandchildren in tow, and he counted golfing, playing cards, and
making trips to the greyhound racetrack among his hobbies; a member
of the King's Men in Corpus Christi's traditional Buccaneer Days
celebration, he is best remembered for delivering entertaining
toasts and for being selected as King Alonso XXX during the 1983
coronation ceremony; he cultivated many close friendships
throughout his life and often entertained his loved ones by
reciting poems, songs, and quotes from memory; and
WHEREAS, Known for his integrity, generosity, and devotion to
his family, Ed Ford leaves behind a legacy that will forever be
treasured by all who were fortunate to know him; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Edmond John Ford, Jr.,
and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his
wife, Bobbe Ford; to his daughters, Helen Allen and her husband,
R. C., and Grace Powers and her husband, Jack; to his
grandchildren, Lizzie Holmes, Janet Allen, Ford Allen and his wife,
Bea, James Allen, Jack Powers and his wife, Jettie, Roberta Wallace
and her husband, Trey, Kyle Cromwell and her husband, Charles,
Edmond Powers, Willie Powers and his wife, Catherine, and Tim
Powers and his wife, Julia; to his 12 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 Edmond John
Ford, Jr.
Hunter
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 277 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on March 7, 2013.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House