H.R. No. 794
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A full and generous life drew to a close with the
death of Don Wyatt Rader of Canadian, Texas, on January 14, 2016, at
the age of 91; and
WHEREAS, Don Rader was born in Shattuck, Oklahoma, on June 1,
1924, to Ernest Justin and Bonnie Harris Rader; born into a ranching
family, he graduated from Shattuck High School in 1942 and enrolled
in Oklahoma State University; and
WHEREAS, Answering his nation's call to duty during World War
II, Mr. Rader interrupted his studies to enlist in the U.S. Army in
1943, and as a rifleman with K Company, 393rd Infantry, 99th
Infantry Division, he saw combat in Normandy, the Ardennes, and the
Rhineland; he was seriously wounded in March 1945 and earned a
Purple Heart; and
WHEREAS, After recuperating in the hospital at Fort Sam
Houston and returning to civilian life, Mr. Rader earned his
bachelor's degree in agricultural economics from OSU in May 1948;
that same month, he married Mary Esther Gerard, and the couple
returned to Shattuck, Oklahoma, to ranch; in 1960, they moved to
Lipscomb County, where Mr. Rader raised Polled Hereford cattle for
more than six decades; over the course of Mr. and Mrs. Rader's 68
years together, they were blessed with six children, Don, Steve,
Cathie, Judy, Nancy, and Betsy; many of their children and
grandchildren have carried on the family tradition of ranching and
farming in the Panhandle; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Rader was active in his community as a director
of the Lipscomb County Soil and Water Conservation District and as a
member of the Rotary Club; he was also a valued congregant of First
United Methodist Church of Canadian; and
WHEREAS, Devoted to his family, his community, and the proud
tradition of ranching, Don Rader leaves behind a legacy of hard
work, service to others, and a love for the land that will continue
to inspire all those who had the good fortune to know him; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Don Wyatt Rader and
extend sincere condolences to his relatives and many 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 Don Rader.
King of Hemphill
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 794 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on March 16, 2017.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House