US Congressman. He served in the United States House of Representatives from the 4th District of Texas from January 3, 1981 to January 3, 2015. He served in the United States Navy during the Second World War and was an aircraft carrier pilot. In 1943, he attended Texas Christian University and after the war, attended both the University of Texas and Southern Methodist University, where he earned his law degree. In 1951, he was admitted to the state bar and maintained a private law practice in Rockwall, Texas for many years. In 1950, he was elected county judge for Rockwall County, Texas and held this office until 1952. He was elected to the Texas State Senate in 1962 and served there until 1972. After serving in the state senate, he held various business positions until 1980, when he decided to run, as a Democrat, for a seat in the United States House of Representatives. He was successful in the general election in November of 1980 and went on to serve in the House for the next four decades until 2015, when he was defeated in the Republican Party primary by John Ratcliffe. In 2004, he decided to switch from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party. Before his switch, he had been considered one of the more conservative members of the House Democratic caucus. He also served as the chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology during his tenure. In 2012, he became the oldest person to ever serve in the House of Representatives. The United States Navy Seal and the United States Congress Seal are mounted on his grave marker.
US Congressman. He served in the United States House of Representatives from the 4th District of Texas from January 3, 1981 to January 3, 2015. He served in the United States Navy during the Second World War and was an aircraft carrier pilot. In 1943, he attended Texas Christian University and after the war, attended both the University of Texas and Southern Methodist University, where he earned his law degree. In 1951, he was admitted to the state bar and maintained a private law practice in Rockwall, Texas for many years. In 1950, he was elected county judge for Rockwall County, Texas and held this office until 1952. He was elected to the Texas State Senate in 1962 and served there until 1972. After serving in the state senate, he held various business positions until 1980, when he decided to run, as a Democrat, for a seat in the United States House of Representatives. He was successful in the general election in November of 1980 and went on to serve in the House for the next four decades until 2015, when he was defeated in the Republican Party primary by John Ratcliffe. In 2004, he decided to switch from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party. Before his switch, he had been considered one of the more conservative members of the House Democratic caucus. He also served as the chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology during his tenure. In 2012, he became the oldest person to ever serve in the House of Representatives. The United States Navy Seal and the United States Congress Seal are mounted on his grave marker.
Bio by: Mr. Badger Hawkeye
Inscription
GREAT HUSBAND, FATHER, AND "PAW PAW"
FROM THE GREATEST GENERATION
HE WAS A SELF MADE MAN WHO WAS A FRIEND TO ALL PEOPLE
HE WAS THE "PEOPLE CONGRESSMAN."
Family Members
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