SR374 - In memory of Clyde Vance Dunnam of Waco.

        SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 374       In Memory   of   Clyde Dunnam            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 Senate of the State of Texas, 89th   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 Senate adjourns   this day, it do so in memory of Vance Dunnam.     Gutierrez, Birdwell, Menéndez                             ______________________________                          Member, Texas Senate         ____________________________________________________________         Member, Texas Senate               Member, Texas Senate                 ______________________________         President of the Senate                I hereby certify that the     above Resolution was adopted by     the Senate on April 8, 2025, by     a rising vote.                 ______________________________         Secretary of the Senate