Bill Text: TX SR604 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: In memory of Richard Preston Ritchie.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-05-17 - Reported enrolled [SR604 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-SR604-Enrolled.html
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| In Memory | ||
| of | ||
| Richard Ritchie | ||
| WHEREAS, With the passing of Richard Preston Ritchie on | ||
| May 11, 2023, at the age of 68, the residents of Mineral Wells bid | ||
| farewell to an accomplished attorney, a renowned athlete, and a | ||
| respected community leader; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Born on May 2, 1955, in Mineral Wells, Richard | ||
| Ritchie was the son of John and Ann Ritchie; he gained national | ||
| acclaim on the gridiron during his years at Texas A&I University, | ||
| compiling a remarkable 39-0 record as the starting quarterback | ||
| and leading the Javelinas to undefeated seasons in 1974, 1975, | ||
| and 1976 that yielded three Lone Star Conference crowns and three | ||
| NAIA Division I championships; named Most Valuable Player of the | ||
| 1974 NAIA title game, he also garnered the 1975-1976 NAIA and LSC | ||
| Player of the Year honors; he graduated in 1977 and later created | ||
| the Richard Ritchie Endowment in support of the school's athletic | ||
| programs; he was inducted into the Javelina Hall of Fame, the LSC | ||
| Hall of Honor, and the College Football Hall of Fame, and he | ||
| earned the Distinguished Alumni Award for his continuing | ||
| involvement with the university; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Mr. Ritchie went on to serve as an assistant | ||
| football coach at The University of Texas at Austin, the | ||
| University of North Texas, and Texas Tech University; after | ||
| receiving his juris doctor degree from St. Mary's University in | ||
| 1991, he embarked on his career as an attorney, following the | ||
| tradition set by four previous generations in his family; he | ||
| joined the Ritchie Law Firm in Mineral Wells to practice with his | ||
| father, John, and played a prominent role in civic affairs, | ||
| serving as an attorney for the Palo Pinto Water District and as a | ||
| director of the First State Bank of Mineral Wells and the Brazos | ||
| Foundation; moreover, he was president of the Noon Lions Club and | ||
| captain of the Palo Pinto County Sheriff's Posse, and he also | ||
| distinguished himself as a rancher, another occupation long | ||
| pursued by the members of his family; and | ||
| WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Ritchie enjoyed the | ||
| love and support of his wife, Penny, his daughters, Leslie Kay | ||
| and Lacie, and his five grandchildren; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Richard Ritchie drew on his leadership and | ||
| expertise to benefit his fellow citizens, and his record of | ||
| service will be a lasting source of inspiration to all who were | ||
| privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th | ||
| Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of Richard Preston | ||
| Ritchie and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: | ||
| to his wife, Penny Ritchie; to his daughters, Leslie Kay Ritchie | ||
| Robnett and her husband, Kevin, and Lacie Ritchie Austin and her | ||
| husband, Matthew; to his grandchildren, Elisha, Cyrus, Arleigh, | ||
| Sky, and Sydney; and to his 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 Senate adjourns | ||
| this day, it do so in memory of Richard Ritchie. | ||
| King | ||
| ________________________________ | ||
| President of the Senate | ||
| I hereby certify that the | ||
| above Resolution was adopted by | ||
| the Senate on May 17, 2023, by a | ||
| rising vote. | ||
| ________________________________ | ||
| Secretary of the Senate | ||
| ________________________________ | ||
| Member, Texas Senate | ||
