TITLE: In memory of Robert Frank Faulkner of Tyler.

SUMMARY: In memory of Robert Frank Faulkner of Tyler.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The city of Tyler lost a beloved resident with the death of Robert Frank Faulkner on August 28, 2018, at the age of 96; and WHEREAS, Bob Faulkner was born to Sterry and Inez Faulkner on January 16, 1922, in Duncan, Oklahoma, and he grew up in Electra, Texas, where he graduated from high school; he was an Eagle Scout, and he took part in the very first National Scout Jamboree in 1937; answering his nation's call to duty, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in the Pacific during World War II; and WHEREAS, After the war, Mr. Faulkner attended the University of Oklahoma, where he lettered in tennis and earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering; in 1948, he settled in Tyler, and he went on to become one of the first air conditioning engineers in East Texas; in 1975, he earned a U.S. patent for a solar panel; and WHEREAS, A gifted tennis player, Mr. Faulkner cofounded the Tyler Tennis and Swim Club, established the Faulkner Tennis Center at Faulkner Park, and served as a volunteer tennis coach for the Tyler schools; he also sponsored an awards dinner for local players, and he was the host of the U.S. Tennis Association's Bob Faulkner Super Champ Major Zone tennis tournament every summer; a serious golfer as well, he was a longtime member of the Willow Brook Country Club and a cofounder of Hollytree Country Club and Briarwood Country Club, where he was golf champion for three years; he played Santa Claus each Christmas at several children's homes for half a century, and he helped establish the Historic Aviation Memorial Museum at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport; and WHEREAS, Mr. Faulkner was married to Gloria Beth Weatherall for nearly seven decades, until her death, and they were the parents of two daughters, Karen and Buffie; Mr. Faulkner was later blessed with four grandchildren, Robert, Richard, Courtney, and James, and five great-grandchildren, Molly, John, Richard, Andrew, and Sarah; a man of strong religious faith, he attended Marvin United Methodist Church for 70 years, serving on the board of stewards, as chair of the property committee, as a Sunday school teacher, and as scoutmaster of Troop No. 336; and WHEREAS, A devoted family man and an esteemed leader in his community, Bob Faulkner lived a rich and purposeful life, and he leaves behind a record of good works that will long be remembered in Tyler; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Robert Frank Faulkner and extend heartfelt sympathy to his family 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 Robert Frank Faulkner. Clardy Schaefer Hefner Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 109 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on March 6, 2019. Chief Clerk of the House