H.R. No. 30

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, A life lived with joy and purpose drew to a close
	with the passing of Dewey Edward Pierce of San Angelo on August 9,
	2023, at the age of 94; and
	WHEREAS, The son of Orville Winston Pierce and Ethel Irene
	Adams Pierce, Dewey Pierce was born in Becker, Mississippi, on
	March 7, 1929, and he grew up with three brothers, Junior, J. C.,
	and Thomas; during World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy with
	his older brother, adding a year to his age on the application
	because he was only 17; he proudly served as a machinist mechanic on
	the USS Hooper Island auxiliary ship in Japan; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Pierce's tour of duty ended in 1947, and he
	borrowed $100 from his uncle to move to San Angelo for a job
	building the dam on the north side of town; there he met the love of
	his life, the former Veva "Vicky" Lee Balkum, and after a
	three-month courtship, they wed in the town of Miles on September
	15, 1950; early in their marriage, they traveled to Alabama,
	Indiana, and Mississippi as Mr. Pierce looked for employment; they
	lived with his parents while saving up for their return to San
	Angelo, where he launched Pierce Paint Company in 1952; with skill
	and diligence, he earned a reputation for excellence, and he
	mentored many painters over the years, preparing them to go off on
	their own; he decided to step away from his business at the age of
	75, but one of his former employees asked to hire him, and he
	continued to set the standard for younger workers for nine more
	years until his retirement; and
	WHEREAS, A valued member of Immanuel Baptist Church,
	Mr. Pierce served on numerous committees and assisted in many
	projects, and he was named a Deacon Emeritus; in his leisure hours,
	he enjoyed bowling, but his favorite pastime was playing poker and
	other games with his treasured family; he and his wife shared a
	fulfilling relationship until her passing in 2016, and he was
	devoted to his daughters, Janis and Sandra, and to his five
	grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; loyal, kind, and
	playful, he brightened the days of those around him with his
	signature jokes and contagious laughter; and
	WHEREAS, Although Dewey Pierce is deeply missed, his zest for
	life will remain a source of inspiration to all who were privileged
	to share in his love and friendship; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
	Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory
	of Dewey Edward Pierce and extend sincere sympathy to the members of
	his family: to his daughters, Janis Baucom and her husband, Jim, and
	Sandra Love; to his grandchildren, Joshua, Kasi, Pierce, Jade, and
	Krystee; to his great-grandchildren, Aidon, Celes, Kadin, Matthew,
	Riley, Rogue, and Adalyn; and to his many 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 House of
	Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Dewey
	Pierce.
	Darby
	______________________________
	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.R. No. 30 was unanimously adopted by a rising
	vote of the House on November 1, 2023.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House