| Lawmaker immerses self in district role held by late husband 01/18/2001 By Annette Fuller / The Dallas Morning News LEWISVILLE – In 2000, Myra Crownover went from being a happy housewife, to a grieving widow, to a freshman state representative for the third largest district in Texas.
Her late husband, veterinarian and District 64 Rep. Ronny Crownover, died of complications from leukemia on March 26. She was elected in May to fill the rest of his term. By fall she was appointed by the county GOP to fill her late husband's next two-year term.
"I have faith the world is unfolding the way it's supposed to," said Mrs. Crownover, 53, R-Denton, from her office in Lewisville. "When something bad happens, you have two choices: adjust poorly, or adjust well. Even in our darkest times, we have so many blessings."
Her district roughly encompasses the southern half of Denton County, one of the fastest-growing areas in the nation. She knows she has her work cut out for her, being a rookie representative for a district with many needs. But she was by her husband's side as he battled leukemia at home and in Austin, during his freshman term in the Legislature, so she knows the ropes.
"Ronny sort of pulled me into politics against my will," she said with a smile. "It was a gradual thing. I loved being his support staff and helped do a lot of his research. I would have been perfectly happy staying a part of his backup team."
But the disease came back after a 13-month remission, and just one day after Denton County residents held a bone marrow donor drive in Dr. Crownover's honor, the well-known, quick-witted veterinarian with a West Texas twang died. .
"I don't think you ever get over losing a beloved mate and friend, but she has reconciled herself to not having Ronny," said family friend Dick Shepherd of Denton. "She will do a wonderful job in Austin. She has the fortitude of a man with the understanding of a woman."
11 newcomers
She is now in Austin, one of 11 freshmen representatives in the Texas House, filling her days researching bills, getting to know other legislators and keeping in touch with constituents.
"Being in the Legislature, you figure out day by day what needs to be done," she said. "I have realized that if I can find the bathroom and a parking space as a freshman representative, I'm doing well."
She said she used to find the thought of being in the Legislature daunting, thinking she didn't know enough about all the topics that are discussed and acted upon.
"I have discovered that the Legislature is not about knowledge, but about relationships," she said. "The members who are trusted are the ones who are effective."
Over time, she expects to become "a real player" in Austin, she said.
She has not received her committee assignments but has requested transportation, public education, environmental issues and higher education.
She hopes to champion causes for the University of North Texas, the largest university in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. She also hopes to work on behalf of fast-growth public school districts, such as Lewisville, which is bursting with more than 39,000 students.
Another goal is to help determine how North Texas can comply with federal air-quality regulations.
She comes home on weekends, so she can be with her youngest son, Dan, 18, a senior at Denton High School. The couple's other three sons – Scott, 27; Luke, 24; and John, 21 – are in college or working.
She felt some guilt leaving Dan while he is at home but decided to go ahead and go for the job after getting all her sons' support. She has arranged for supervision of Dan while she is gone, and family friends routinely check on him.
She also has the support of her mother, Myra Robinson, who at 81 oversees the family business in Big Spring– an oil drilling company.
"We've never, until now, been a political family," Mrs. Robinson said. "We are naturally very proud of her. She's never been a person who would brood over things; she'd be the one who says, 'Let's get going.'"
Family background
Mrs. Crownover was born Myra Ellen Robinson on April 26, 1947. She was the head cheerleader at Colorado City High School in West Texas and attended Southern Methodist University, where she was a member of the Tri Delta sorority. She received a degree in education in 1969.
She taught in the Dallas school district one year, before marrying and moving with her husband to College Station, where he would get his veterinary science degree at Texas A&M University.
She taught in College Station and received her master's degree in education from A&M in 1972. She then focused on raising the couple's four sons and helped her husband with his veterinary business in Lake Dallas.
"I am very glad that someone who has had a full-time job as a housewife gets to make her voice heard in the House," said her brother Mike Robinson, who helps run the family business. "She will bring a practical real-life touch to legislative work."
In addition to her duties in Austin, she continues as president of the Ronny Crownover Marrow Foundation, based in Denton, which has a goal of signing up 10,000 people as bone marrow donors, who could potentially save leukemia victims' lives. Already, in Dr. Crownover's honor, 1,500 people have signed up.
"She is helping bring bone marrow donations to the forefront," said Polly Diebel of Denton, a friend of Myra's and a board member of the foundation. "It's a long-term goal, and I think we can do it."
In memory of her husband, and in part toward her continued healing after his death, Mrs. Crownover will continue giving her all to her new position.
"Every day in my life now brings something totally different," she said. "Being fully involved in life is good for me, and I know that's what Ronny would have wanted."
Commencement speech excerpt State Rep. Myra Crownover, R-Denton, addressed the winter graduates of the University of North Texas on Dec. 16. Here is an excerpt from her speech:
So what would I share with you today at this turning point in your life?.... Here is my list of suggestions for a life well lived.
Respect the value of work. Theodore Roosevelt said, "Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing."
If you choose to marry, study your marriage vows – you may want to write them yourselves – commit to your vows and honor your vows and honor your spouse. Sadly, much of the pain and suffering in the world today involves broken promises and broken dreams between people who promised to love and honor each other.
If you have children, know for certain that raising your child will be the most important thing you will ever do in your life – and the hardest. It is a 24-seven job that lasts at least 18 years, and it comes with no vacation. It will drive you crazy some days; break your heart on other days. ... Parenthood is also the most rewarding, most fulfilling, most expanding, most challenging adventure you will ever take. It will truly be your legacy.
Keep a clean, clear eye on the dirty ways of the world. Evil is not an outdated concept. It is alive and well in the world today. Look for the good in everything and everyone but don't be blind to the ugly. One of my favorite sayings states that you don't want to be so open-minded that you let your brains fall out. It can happen.
Learn to appreciate the tarnished beauty of realism. Many imperfect things still have great value, especially people.
Know for certain that your life is a gift. It doesn't matter whether you are happy or sad, healthy or ill, the top of your class or the bottom – your life is a gift. It had a beginning when you were born, and it will have an end when you die. All of the time in between is uniquely your story.
Your life is a God-given opportunity to make a positive difference in your family or your community or our state or the world.
... You can be a positive force in the world of tomorrow by following the simple yet eloquent steps outlined by Frank Outlaw:
Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
Good luck with the destiny thing and God bless.
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