| 1 | 1 | | SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 25 |
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| 2 | 2 | | In Memory |
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| 3 | 3 | | of |
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| 4 | 4 | | Joe D. Clayton |
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| 5 | 5 | | WHEREAS, The life of a distinguished jurist drew to a close |
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| 6 | 6 | | with the passing of the Honorable Joe D. Clayton of Tyler on |
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| 7 | 7 | | July 14, 2023, at the age of 84; and |
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| 8 | 8 | | WHEREAS, The son of Melvin and Clementine Clayton, Joe |
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| 9 | 9 | | Clayton was born in Bonham on November 21, 1938, and he grew up |
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| 10 | 10 | | with the companionship of three brothers, Bernard, Gene, and |
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| 11 | 11 | | John; in 1956, he graduated from Tulia High School, and he went on |
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| 12 | 12 | | to receive his bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at |
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| 13 | 13 | | Austin and his juris doctor degree from the UT School of Law; and |
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| 14 | 14 | | WHEREAS, Mr. Clayton worked as a partner and senior |
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| 15 | 15 | | partner in various law firms in Tyler and Fredericksburg prior to |
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| 16 | 16 | | embarking on his esteemed career in the judiciary, over the |
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| 17 | 17 | | course of which he served as judge of the 241st District Court, |
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| 18 | 18 | | the Smith County Court-at-Law in Tyler, and the Bullard Municipal |
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| 19 | 19 | | Court, as well as a senior state district judge; furthermore, he |
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| 20 | 20 | | held leadership roles within a number of professional |
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| 21 | 21 | | organizations, including the Texas Center for the Judiciary, the |
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| 22 | 22 | | State Bar of Texas, and the Texas Bar Foundation; and |
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| 23 | 23 | | WHEREAS, Active in his community, Judge Clayton gave |
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| 24 | 24 | | generously of his time and talents to numerous civic groups, such |
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| 25 | 25 | | as the Bowie Chamber of Commerce, the East Texas Estate Planning |
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| 26 | 26 | | Council, and the Tyler-Rose City Kiwanis Club; in his leisure |
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| 27 | 27 | | hours, he enjoyed hunting and fishing; and |
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| 28 | 28 | | WHEREAS, Above all else, Judge Clayton was devoted to his |
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| 29 | 29 | | loved ones; he shared a rewarding marriage with his wife, Jan, |
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| 30 | 30 | | that spanned five and a half decades until her passing in 2019, |
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| 31 | 31 | | and he took great pride in their three children, Joe, James, and |
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| 32 | 32 | | Catherine; with the passing years, he had the pleasure of |
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| 33 | 33 | | welcoming into his treasured family three granddaughters, |
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| 34 | 34 | | Ashley, Caroline, and Clementene; in all his endeavors, Judge |
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| 35 | 35 | | Clayton was sustained by his strong faith, and he was a valued |
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| 36 | 36 | | member of First Presbyterian Church in Tyler; and |
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| 37 | 37 | | WHEREAS, Joe Clayton earned the respect and admiration of |
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| 38 | 38 | | all who knew him, and he leaves behind a record of service that |
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| 39 | 39 | | his family and friends can remember with pride; now, |
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| 40 | 40 | | therefore, be it |
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| 41 | 41 | | RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th |
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| 42 | 42 | | Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory |
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| 43 | 43 | | of Judge Joe D. Clayton and extend sincere condolences to all who |
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| 44 | 44 | | mourn his passing; and, be it further |
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| 45 | 45 | | RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be |
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| 46 | 46 | | prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns |
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| 47 | 47 | | this day, it do so in memory of Joe Clayton. |
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| 48 | 48 | | Hughes |
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| 49 | 49 | | ________________________________ |
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| 50 | 50 | | President of the Senate |
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| 51 | 51 | | I hereby certify that the |
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| 52 | 52 | | above Resolution was adopted by |
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| 53 | 53 | | the Senate on October 19, 2023, by |
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| 54 | 54 | | a rising vote. |
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| 55 | 55 | | ________________________________ |
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| 56 | 56 | | Secretary of the Senate |
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| 57 | 57 | | ________________________________ |
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| 58 | 58 | | Member, Texas Senate |
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