H.R. No. 1863
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The life of a highly respected oil and gas industry
leader drew to a close with the passing of Robert Leroy Looney of
Evant on December 1, 2022, at the age of 79; and
WHEREAS, Rob Looney was born in Hutchinson, Kansas, on
June 2, 1943, to Walter and Helen Looney, and he grew up with five
brothers, Charles, Walter, Larry, Donald, and Harold, and a sister,
Janice; a graduate of Iola High School, he earned an education
degree from the University of Kansas and a juris doctor degree from
its school of law; and
WHEREAS, Embarking on a career with the Phillips Petroleum
Company, Mr. Looney served in its legal departments in Colorado,
Alaska, Texas, and Oklahoma before settling in Austin in 1976 to
become senior vice president of the Texas Association of Business;
in 1982, he established his own legal practice; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Looney joined the Texas Oil and Gas Association
in 1988, and during his 26 years as president, he oversaw a number
of changes that led to the establishment of new industry safety
guidelines and the responsible production of natural resources;
moreover, he created the TXOGA Insurance Agency and the TXOGA
Workers' Compensation Safety Group; additionally, he served on the
Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission and with the U.S. Oil &
Gas Association; upon his retirement in 2014, he was honored with
the prestigious TXOGA Distinguished Service Award; and
WHEREAS, In retirement, Mr. Looney served the Evant Chamber
of Commerce as president, and he helped put into place the Evant
Independent School District Heritage Foundation; in all his
endeavors, he enjoyed the love and support of his wife, Charlotte,
and his daughters, Stacy and Krissy; and
WHEREAS, Admired for his kind and generous nature, Rob Looney
lived a life that was rich in personal and professional
achievements, and he will forever be a source of inspiration to
those he leaves behind; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Robert Leroy Looney
and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his
wife, Charlotte Bennight Looney; to his daughters, Stacy Looney and
Krissy Lilljedahl, and their mother, Linda Strang Looney; to his
son-in-law, Bobby Lilljedahl; to his grandchildren, Lila Grace,
Jace, and Elli Lilljedahl; to his wife's children, Sheldon Bennight
and his wife, Jessica, and their son, Jackson, and Shelley Barrett
and her children, Gracie and Jett; to his brothers, Walter Looney
and his wife, Lyndeen, Larry Looney and his wife, Jenel, Donald
Looney and his wife, Sue, and Harold Looney and his wife, Chris; 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 Rob Looney.
Slawson
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1863 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 25, 2023.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House