HR622 - In memory of J. Pat Hickman of Canyon.

      H.R. No. 622       R E S O L U T I O N          WHEREAS, The life of an esteemed business leader drew to a   close with the passing of J. Pat Hickman of Canyon on March 1, 2025,   at the age of 72; and          WHEREAS, The son of John and Mildred Hickman, Pat Hickman was   born in Canyon on March 17, 1952, and he grew up with the   companionship of three siblings, Mike, Don, and Sara Jo; he   graduated from Canyon High School in 1970; he went on to attend   Texas Tech University, where he joined the Phi Delta Theta   fraternity, and at the age of 70, he resumed his studies there and   received a bachelor's degree in 2024; and          WHEREAS, Mr. Hickman began his career in banking in 1975, and   he worked at a number of financial institutions in Canyon and   Amarillo before establishing Happy Bancshares, Inc., in 1989; he   led a group of investors to purchase First State Bank of Happy,   where he distinguished himself as chair, president, and CEO for   more than three decades; under his able guidance, Happy State Bank   experienced significant growth and eventually became the 19th   largest bank in Texas with $7.4 billion in assets; in 2022, he   oversaw the sale of the business to Home BancShares, Inc., and he   continued to serve as a member of that company's board; and          WHEREAS, Highly active in his community, Mr. Hickman was   involved in numerous civic organizations, including the Canyon   Lions Club, Amarillo Symphony, Texas Panhandle Heritage   Foundation, Texas Tech Foundation, and Panhandle-Plains Historical   Society; he was also a founding member of the Excellence in Banking   Program at Texas Tech and chair of the Independent Bankers   Association of Texas; in 1990, Mr. Hickman was elected to the first   of three terms on the Canyon Independent School District Board of   Trustees, which he served as president; Governor Greg Abbott   appointed him to the Texas Economic Development Corporation board   in 2019; among his many achievements, he was named the Canyon   Citizen of the Year in 2008 as well as the Randall County   Agri-Businessman of the Decade in 2010, and he was included among   IBAT's Heroes and Legends of Community Banking list; and          WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Hickman enjoyed the love   and support of his wife, Nancy, with whom he shared a rewarding   marriage that spanned 48 years; he took great pride in their four   children, Brad, Grant, Tara, and Crista, and he had the pleasure of   welcoming into his family 19 grandchildren; and          WHEREAS, While Pat Hickman's passing has deprived the banking   industry of one of its giants, those he leaves behind will continue   to find inspiration in his accomplishments for years to come; now,   therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas   Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of J. Pat Hickman and   extend heartfelt sympathy to his family and many 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 Pat   Hickman.     King     ______________________________   Speaker of the House                 I certify that H.R. No. 622 was unanimously adopted by a   rising vote of the House on April 9, 2025.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House