H.R. No. 136
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A rich and purposeful life drew to a close on May 3,
2024, with the passing of Clyde Vance Dunnam of Waco at the age of
94; and
WHEREAS, Born in Waco on November 6, 1929, Vance Dunnam grew
up in Speegleville and graduated from Waco High School; he earned
his bachelor's degree from Baylor University in 1951 and his juris
doctor degree from Baylor Law School the following year; and
WHEREAS, After obtaining his admission to the bar and a short
stint working for a Houston oil company, Mr. Dunnam joined his
father and brother at Dunnam & Dunnam, LLP, where he worked for
seven decades; over the course of his career, he earned a reputation
as one of the most skilled and successful trial attorneys in Central
Texas; he served as a mentor to hundreds of colleagues and further
contributed to his professional community as president of the
McLennan County Junior Bar Association and the Waco-McLennan County
Bar Association; through the years, he had the pleasure of
practicing with a number of family members, and he worked up until
the last weeks of his life; and
WHEREAS, In 1952, Mr. Dunnam married Vicki Hohertz, and they
shared in the joy of raising three children, Vance, Cathy, and Jim;
after his wife's death in 1995, he found love again with Merrilee
Lafferty Harmon, whom he wed in 1997; with the passing years, he
delighted in watching his cherished family grow to include numerous
grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Active in his community, Mr. Dunnam held leadership
positions in several organizations, including the Scottish Rite,
the York Rite, and the Karem Shrine as well as the Waco Jaycees and
the Knights of Pythias; he was also a man of faith and a lifelong
member of the Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday school for
many years; in his leisure time, he enjoyed cattle and hay ranching,
sailing, riding his motorcycle, fly-fishing, beekeeping, hunting,
and any time that he could spend with his children and
grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Dunnam especially took pride in the history and
success of Dunnam & Dunnam, LLP, where he worked for most of his
career, even up until a few weeks before his passing, and he truly
loved the fact that he successfully instilled the same pride in his
children and grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Dunnam could not have been more loyal to his
lifelong friends and employees, no matter their politics, race, or
religion; in addition, he also worked tirelessly to mend all fences
with those who might have become estranged; and
WHEREAS, Although Vance Dunnam is deeply missed, memories of
his wisdom, his sense of humor, and his generosity remain to comfort
and inspire those he leaves behind; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Clyde Vance Dunnam and
extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife,
Merrilee L. Harmon; to his children, Vance Dunnam Jr. and his wife,
Irma, Cathy Dunnam Pleitz and her husband, Dan, and Jim Dunnam and
his wife, Michelle; to his grandchildren, Vanessa, Jennifer,
Stephanie, Joshua, Jacob, Jordan, Lauren, Mason, and Rachel; to his
12 great-grandchildren; 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 Vance
Dunnam.
Curry
Raymond
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 136 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on March 13, 2025.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House