H.R. No. 753
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, An esteemed Texan and friend to many, A. J. Cain of
Midland passed away on February 3, 2013, at the age of 84; and
WHEREAS, Born in Big Spring on August 31, 1928, to Alice
Haynes Cain and Andrew Jackson Cain, A. J. Cain graduated from Big
Spring High School; he enlisted in the United States Army when he
was all of 17 years old, and after completing his service, he was
honorably discharged in 1948; he subsequently attended Howard
County Junior College and then transferred to the University of
North Texas, where he earned a degree in marketing; a talented
athlete, he played baseball and football and ran track while in high
school and college; and
WHEREAS, On September 8, 1951, A. J. Cain exchanged wedding
vows with the former Bonnie Dempsey in Big Spring, and the couple
became the proud parents of two daughters, Chris and Diane; Mr. and
Mrs. Cain enjoyed a loving marriage of 58 years, until her passing
in 2010; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cain's first employment after college was with
the Hughes Tool Company, and during his time with that
organization, he and his family lived in Odessa, Levelland,
Brownfield, and Andrews; in 1956, he accepted a job with Mustang
Mud, beginning a longtime career in the drilling mud business;
Mr. and Mrs. Cain relocated to Midland in 1963 and made that
community their home for the rest of their lives; and
WHEREAS, Working with Mustang Mud gave Mr. Cain the chance to
meet many people, and his clients often became close friends; aside
from his work, he enjoyed time spent with the downtown morning
coffee group he belonged to, and he was an avid sports fan,
especially loyal to the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers; he also
took great pleasure in art, music, the theater, delicious food, and
good books; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cain attended Trinity Presbyterian Church for
nearly half a century, serving at various times as a ruling elder,
deacon, and trustee and assisting his wife with the youth
fellowship group, accompanying them on mission trips and
excursions; late in life, he joined Grace Presbyterian Church; and
WHEREAS, Generous and giving, Mr. Cain helped many young
people to continue their education, offering encouragement and
assistance, and he supported the work of nonprofits and charitable
organizations; he loved to travel with his wife, exploring the
country and the world, and he took up flying in his forties; a
favorite spot to visit was the family cabin in Ruidoso, New Mexico,
where he would hike, ski, entertain friends, and watch and feed the
birds; and
WHEREAS, A. J. Cain was a gentle man whose boundless warmth
and zest for life will long be remembered by everyone who had the
privilege of knowing him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of A. J. Cain and
extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his
daughters, Chris Cain Laufer and her husband, Jeff, and Diane Cain
Warner and her husband, Tom; to his five grandchildren, Shannon
Laufer Mann and her husband, John, Elyse Laufer Starr and her
husband, Ryan, Jake Laufer and his wife, Courtney, Thomas Michael
Warner, and Luke Warner; to his great-grandchild, Hayley Starr; to
his sisters, Billie Carr and Betty Lively; 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
A. J. Cain.
Craddick
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 753 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on March 20, 2013.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House