TITLE: In memory of Robert Crayford Lee.

SUMMARY: In memory of Robert Crayford Lee.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, A rich and purposeful life has drawn to a close with the passing of Robert Crayford Lee of Houston on February 12, 2015, at the age of 90; and WHEREAS, Mr. Lee was born in Austin on August 12, 1924, to Georgia and Robert E. Lee; he grew up in Wichita Falls, where he learned his strong work ethic at an early age, delivering papers and doing yard work and other jobs; he attended high school in Wichita Falls and Corpus Christi and graduated from Waco High School, where during his senior year he competed as a member of the tennis and debate teams while also working two jobs; and WHEREAS, Answering his nation's call to duty in 1943, Mr. Lee entered the United States Navy and trained as a naval aviator; after his discharge in 1946, he attended The University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1950; following his graduation, he found employment at Scarbrough's department store; and WHEREAS, In 1951, Mr. Lee met Ann Edwards of Ponchatoula, Louisiana; he asked her to marry him on their second date, and they were joined in matrimony for 64 years; the couple became the proud parents of five sons, James, Michael, Robert, Richard, and Donald; and WHEREAS, Mr. Lee and his family moved first to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and then to Houston, where he went to work selling books on tax law for the publisher Prentice Hall; a man of strong religious faith, he was a valued member of First Presbyterian Church, where he took part in weekly fellowship and Bible study classes; and WHEREAS, Robert Lee was also a stalwart of the Republican Party of Harris County, and he and his wife alternated serving as precinct chair for more than four decades; after one of their sons was severely injured in an accident, Mr. Lee became a campaigner for medical marijuana, and he helped to found Republicans Against Marijuana Prohibition; and WHEREAS, Beloved for his pleasant manner and steadfastness, Robert Lee centered his life around his family, his nation, and civic engagement, and those who were blessed to share in his love and affection will forever hold him close in their hearts; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of Robert Crayford Lee and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his wife, Ann Edwards Lee; to his sons, James Lee, Michael Lee, Robert Lee, Richard Lee, and Donald Lee and his wife, Susan; to his four granddaughters and two great-grandchildren; to his sister, Georgiabeth Mercier; to his brother, James E. Lee; 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 Robert Crayford Lee. Huffman President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 9, 2015, by a rising vote.