SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 699
In Memory
of
Thomas Paul Moore Jr.
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the citizens
of Waco in mourning the loss of Thomas Paul Moore Jr., who died on
April 16, 2017, at the age of 98; and
WHEREAS, A lifelong Waco resident, Tom Moore was born on
May 16, 1918; he was one of the many descendants of Dr. Thomas
Moore, a Kentucky physician who settled in Waco in 1870; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Moore earned his law degree from Baylor
University in 1943, and he went on to serve in the United States
Army; he met Natalie Barlow while attending military government
school in Princeton, New Jersey, and the couple married in June
of 1944, just before he was assigned to serve in Japan; and
WHEREAS, In 1952, Mr. Moore was elected to serve as the
McLennan County district attorney; he was known for his powerful
oratorical skills, and during his eight-year tenure, he served as
prosecutor for several notable cases, including the first
televised trial in Texas history; he maintained a private general
civil and criminal defense practice in Waco from 1960 until 2014,
and he was known as a fervent civil rights and organized labor
supporter who believed in open government and equal access to
power for all citizens; he never turned down a client, regardless
of their ability to pay for his representation; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Moore was elected to the Texas House of
Representatives in 1967; he served through three legislative
sessions and was a leader of the "Dirty Thirty," a bipartisan
group of House members who called for the investigation into what
became known as the Sharpstown Scandal; the investigation
ultimately led to a conviction of the Speaker of the House and to
the passage of significant reform measures by the legislature in
1973; and
WHEREAS, Tom and his wife, Natalie Moore, were blessed with
three children, Margaret Moore, Elizabeth Harris, and Thomas
Paul Moore III; Natalie passed away in 1982; Tom married Robbie
Farek in 1984, and by this marriage, he was blessed with another
son, Grant Farek; he loved his family beyond all measure, and his
children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were a source
of immense pride and joy; and
WHEREAS, Tom Moore was a man of deep faith who was noted for
his delightful sense of humor, his keen intellect, and the joy he
took in living each day to the fullest; he contributed greatly to
his community and his state, and he will long be remembered with
deep respect and admiration by all who were privileged to share
in his life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Thomas Paul Moore Jr.; 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 Tom Moore.
Watson
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 1, 2017, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate