SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 15
In Memory
of
Curtis Williams Mewbourne
WHEREAS, A full and generous life drew to a close with the
passing of Curtis Williams Mewbourne of Tyler on June 23, 2022,
at the age of 86; and
WHEREAS, The son of Ruth and Curtis Mewbourne,
Mr. Mewbourne was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on November 14,
1935, and he grew up with a brother, Tom; he enjoyed a wonderful
childhood, working on his parents' ranch, visiting his
grandmother in New Orleans, and working dogs and hunting quail; a
gifted athlete, he helped win a state title in track, and he
played quarterback for the 1953 state championship football team
at Byrd High School; as a student there, he met the love of his
life, the former Joanne Zaenglein; the couple married on March 7,
1959, and they shared a fulfilling union that spanned more than
six decades; he took great pride in their daughters, Dorothy,
Ruth, and Julie, and their grandchildren, Cameron, Kirby,
Morgan, Hale, Anna, Merritte, Williams, and Griffin; and
WHEREAS, In 1957, Mr. Mewbourne earned a degree in
petroleum engineering at the University of Oklahoma, where he
joined the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, and he went on to serve
in the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant with the Arlington
National Cemetery honor guard; he subsequently embarked on a
successful career in the oil industry, working with Arkansas
Fuel Oil Company in Shreveport and later with First National
Bank in Dallas; in 1965, he established Mewbourne Oil Company,
and the business grew to become one of the largest privately
owned oil and gas companies in the nation, as well as the top
supporter of student scholarships and internships at OU in the
past 25 years; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of Mr. Mewbourne's
accomplishments, OU named the Mewbourne College of Earth and
Energy and the Mewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological
Engineering in his honor; his other accolades include the
Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Oil and Gas
Association, the Top Hand award from the Permian Basin Petroleum
Association, the Trailblazer award from OU, and an honorary
Doctorate of Humane Letters from OU; moreover, he endowed seven
Mewbourne Chairs in Petroleum Engineering and the Mewbourne
Professorship in Petroleum Engineering at the university; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Mewbourne moved with his family to Tyler in
1971, and he gave of his time and resources to benefit All Saints
Episcopal School, St. John's School in Houston, the music
department at Tyler Junior College, Methodist Children's Home,
the Salvation Army, and PATH Junior Achievement, among other
organizations; he was also a longtime member of Marvin United
Methodist Church; above all else, he delighted in spending time
with his loved ones, and he especially liked hosting Thanksgiving
celebrations at his Lazy M ranch in Oklahoma; and
WHEREAS, Curtis Mewbourne 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 Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the memory of Curtis
Williams Mewbourne and extend sincere sympathy to all who
mourn his passing; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns
this day, it do so in memory of Curtis Mewbourne.
Hughes
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on January 18, 2023, by
a rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate