SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 572
In Memory
of
Don L. Rives
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of Don L. Rives, who died March 27, 2015, at
the age of 80; and
WHEREAS, Don Rives was born September 8, 1934, in Marshall,
to Lois Maurine Anderson Rives and Luther Aaron Rives; as a young
boy, he performed with the Apollo Boys' Choir in venues across
the country, notably the Bell Telephone Hour winter holiday
national broadcast from New York City in the early 1940s; and
WHEREAS, He was a 1952 honors graduate of Marshall High
School, where he served as student body president and as
president of the Texas State Association of Student Councils; he
went on to graduate summa cum laude from North Texas State
College, now the University of North Texas, and to earn a law
degree from The University of Texas School of Law; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Rives returned to his hometown in 1959 and
served as assistant district attorney for Harrison County, and he
later entered private practice at the law firm of Bibb and Rives;
he was appointed United States Magistrate, Marshall Division,
for the Eastern District of Texas in 1965; and
WHEREAS, He served the state with distinction as a member
of the Constitutional Revision Commission, and in 1974, he became
executive assistant to Lieutenant Governor William P. Hobby, and
he served as executive director of the Association of Electric
Companies of Texas; he was later appointed by Governor Ann
Richards to the University of North Texas Board of Regents, and
he also served on the university's athletic council; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Rives was active in a wide range of
professional, civic, and philanthropic organizations, including
the Harrison County Hospital Association board of trustees, the
Marshall Independent School District Board of Trustees, Camp
Fire, the Boy Scouts of America, the Westlake High School Chap
Club, Booster Club, and Choral Department, and the administrative
board of First United Methodist Church in Austin; and
WHEREAS, He and his beloved wife of 54 years, Pat, raised
three children together and were blessed with seven grandchildren,
whose activities Don followed with great interest; and
WHEREAS, Don Rives was a respected leader who contributed
greatly to his community; a man of courage, compassion, and
integrity, he gave unselfishly to others, and his wisdom, warmth,
and wise counsel will not be forgotten; and
WHEREAS, He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather,
and he leaves behind memories that will be treasured forever by
his family and his many friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Don L. Rives; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
memory of Don Rives.
Watson
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 15, 2015, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate