HR136 - In memory of Clyde Vance Dunnam of Waco.

      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