TITLE: In memory of Walter Hoxie Smith of Midland.

SUMMARY: In memory of Walter Hoxie Smith of Midland.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Memories of a life filled with joyful times and meaningful accomplishments remain to comfort the family and friends of Walter Hoxie Smith of Midland, who passed away on January 6, 2015, at the age of 60; and WHEREAS, Mr. Smith was born on October 29, 1954, in Du Quoin, Illinois, to Frank Hoxie Smith and Virginia Smith; at a young age, he developed an affinity for the outdoors while hiking and backpacking in Colorado at the Perry-Mansfield Boys Camp; he went on to attend Colorado State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in geology in 1982; while employed by Dawson Geophysical Company in Midland, he attained his master's degree in geology from The University of Texas of the Permian Basin in 1995; and WHEREAS, The following year, Mr. Smith began working as a principal and vice president of GeoSpectrum, Inc., in Midland; he served as project manager and regional director of FutureGen with the United States Department of Energy and was also a consultant with Summit Energy; in 2003, he became the director of the Midland College Petroleum Professional Development Center, where he created workshops and continuing education courses for oil and gas professionals in the Permian Basin region; and WHEREAS, Mr. Smith was well respected in both his chosen field and in his outside interests; he authored or co-authored more than 25 publications, and he was a presenter at national conventions of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, the Society of Petroleum Engineers, and the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, among others; he was active at Grace Presbyterian Church with the Community Bible Study group, and he played guitar in the Backsliders, a bluegrass gospel group; he also served with the Kairos Prison Ministry in the Lynaugh Unit at Fort Stockton; and WHEREAS, Mr. Smith was the proud father of two daughters, Alyssa and Lauren; in their youth, he enjoyed taking road trips with them to go camping, skiing, hiking, and fishing and to explore all that the outdoors had to offer; he also counted traveling with his beloved wife, Sally, among his greatest pleasures; and WHEREAS, Those fortunate enough to have known Hoxie Smith will remember the warmth and kindness he brought into their lives, and he will forever hold a treasured place in the hearts of his family and friends; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Walter Hoxie Smith and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, Sally Smith; to his daughters, Alyssa and Lauren Smith; to his mother, Virginia Smith; to his brothers, George Smith and his wife, Susan Gray, and Daniel Smith and his wife, Cathy; to his sister, Suzanne Rawlings; and to his other loved ones; 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 Hoxie Smith. Craddick Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 338 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on February 19, 2015. Chief Clerk of the House