Gary Doyle Condra

Gary Doyle Condra LUBBOCK-A hero left this world on February 17, 2015. Gary Doyle Condra was born on Aug. 13, 1944, in Ballinger, Texas. He was the son of Doyle and Ella Condra and grandson of J. Milton and Carrie Ruth Clayton, Everett Pete and Florence Witter, and James and Mary Condra. He grew up on a working ranch that had been in his family since the 1870's. Gary attended Talpa and Ballinger schools where he graduated valedictorian. On December 23, 1967, Gary married the love of his life, Betty Ann Moore from Plainview. Their marriage lasted until the day he died. As she would tell the story, Betty married him because of the twinkle in eye. That twinkle was just a small indication of the loving, affectionate, and playful man that was Gary Condra. After receiving his BS in Animal Science from TTU, Gary was sent to Vietnam where he was exposed to Agent Orange, believed to have caused the Parkinson's which finally took his life. He returned home in 1971 and received an honorable discharge at the rank of army Captain. Gary went on to earn a Master's degree in Agricultural Economics from TTU; and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from TAMU. He served as Agricultural Economist for the Texas Agricultural Extension Service in Ft. Stockton and Lubbock. In an effort to improve agricultural policy, Gary ran for Congress in 1984 in the 19th Congressional District. While that run was ultimately unsuccessful, Gary went on to join the faculty of TTU. While at Tech, he founded the Texas Agricultural Mediation Program. In 1988, Gary received a law degree from the TTU School of Law where he graduated Order of the Coif. He later opened a private law practice specializing in Agriculture. In 1999, his daughter Merinda, became his law partner. Gary liked to tease with an offbeat sense of humor. He had a quiet strength, a gentle spirit, and a kind heart. Gary enjoyed people and cherished his family. He had the affection of his peers and the respect of his adversaries. Gary used his intelligence, experience, and education to help people. As an attorney, he believed it was his job to help his clients find resolutions to problems - not just fight battles. He rejected the adversarial nature of law to seek common ground and was often the voice of reason. While he would not run from a fight if required to obtain justice, he would first spend hours, days, and even weeks in negotiation to obtain needed relief for his clients. He brokered agreements when others had concluded it could not be done. He never let ego make him forget that a farm family was depending upon him. Among other things, Gary served as the Chairman Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of Texas State Bar, Member Texas Supreme Court Advisory Committee for Court-Annexed Mediation, Chairman Coalition Agricultural Mediation Programs, Chairman South Plains Dispute Resolution Advisory Committee; Administrator and Mediator Texas Agricultural Mediation Program, Chairman State Bar Agricultural Committee, and Vice Chairman Texas Appraiser Licensing Certification Board. In 2002, the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the Texas State Bar awarded Gary the Justice Frank G. Evans Award, [f]or his exemplary courage and outstanding leadership in the evolution of Alternative Dispute Resolution in Texas. According to the section, Gary has been a prime motivating force in the movement to protect the strong confidentiality provisions of the Texas ADR statute. We could not be prouder of him or admire him more. In a world where power, money, and fame are rewarded with more power, more money, and more fame - he chose another path. He worked to make the world a better place - and worked to instill that same goal in his children. He told the truth. He was kind. He was strong. Gary Condra worked to support his family until he could work no longer. He loved his wife, Betty, and their children Clay and Merinda. He believed in them and helped them to believe in themselves. Gary Condra was a good man. Gary Condra was our hero and the world is poorer for his absence. Gary D. Condra is survived by his wife Betty; his daughter Merinda and her daughters Emma and Elle; his son Clay and wife Christy, and their three children, Mallory, Hunter, and Madison; his sister, Barbara Johnson; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. A celebration of Gary's life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015 at 10 a.m. at the Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers, 6025 82nd Street, Lubbock, Texas. Visitation with family will take place immediately after the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests tax deductible donations to The Institute for Creative Learners in recognition of Gary's love of education. www.instituteforcreativelearners.org or Adoption Covenant which helped bring him two of his precious and much loved granddaughters. www.adoptioncovenant.org Contributions to both can be mailed to PO Box 2507, Lubbock, Texas 79408.