Bill Text: TX HR126 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Enrolled


Bill Title: In memory of G. K. Lewallen of Stephenville.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2015-02-20 - Reported enrolled [HR126 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-HR126-Enrolled.html
 
 
  H.R. No. 126
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
 
         WHEREAS, The State of Texas lost a rodeo legend with the
  passing of G. K. Lewallen of Stephenville on December 10, 2014, at
  the age of 95; and
         WHEREAS, Born on January 14, 1919, and raised in Blackwell,
  Mr. Lewallen began competing in rodeos during his youth and joined
  the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in 1937; riding in rough
  stock events, he performed in arenas around the country, suffering
  broken bones and numerous other serious injuries while proving his
  exceptional courage and ability; and
         WHEREAS, Undaunted by the dangers of rodeo life, Mr. Lewallen
  claimed numerous championship titles, and in 1945 he took first
  place in bull riding at the World Champion Rodeo, held at Madison
  Square Garden in New York City; his victory earned him a hand-tooled
  leather saddle that was one of the most prized mementos from his
  outstanding career; and
         WHEREAS, In 1944, Mr. Lewallen married the former Ethel
  Spanier, whom he met while she was working as a member of the
  Rockettes dance company in New York, and the couple ultimately
  became the parents of three children, Nolan, Cindra, and Tula; they
  moved to Stephenville after Mr. Lewallen retired from the rodeo
  arena in 1956 and soon opened a western store, the Grand Entry; the
  business grew out of an enterprise Mr. Lewallen had begun during
  his time as a competitor, when he would sell hats, boots, and other
  merchandise to fans attending the rodeos; and
         WHEREAS, This determined Texan became a prominent figure in
  the local community, and he helped shape Stephenville's image as
  the self-proclaimed Cowboy Capital of the World; he was an original
  member of the Erath County Livestock Association board of directors
  and a member of the Stephenville Chamber of Commerce board; in
  addition, he was a founding director of InterBank, and the
  financial institution's Bluff Dale branch was dedicated in his
  honor; and
         WHEREAS, In recent decades, Mr. Lewallen earned a number of
  prestigious accolades; in addition to becoming a member of the
  Stephenville Cowboy Capital Walk of Fame, he was inducted into the
  National Cowboy Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Texas Cowboy Hall of
  Fame in 1997; after Ethel Lewallen passed away in 1988, he was
  fortunate to find love again and married the former Nita Brooks;
  they shared a rewarding marriage that spanned nearly a quarter
  century before his death; and
         WHEREAS, G. K. Lewallen was a true cowboy, a hardworking
  gentleman who accomplished much but also remained humble and
  thankful, and his contributions to the Stephenville community and
  to the sport of rodeo will continue to be appreciated for years to
  come; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
  Legislature pay tribute to the memory of G. K. Lewallen and extend
  sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his wife, Nita;
  to his children, Nolan Lewallen, Cindra Elms and her husband,
  Chick, and Tula Vassel and her husband, Robert; to his
  stepchildren, Louis Brooks and his wife, Charlotte, and Leigh Odom
  and her husband, Doug; to his grandchildren, Chad Elms and his wife,
  Stephanie, Chayla Horan and her husband, Ken, Clint Elms, Conner
  Elms and his wife, Caitlin, Garett Vassel, Aaron Lewallen and his
  wife, Stacey, Noelle Lewallen, Seth Lewallen, and Lauren Penner and
  her husband, Alex; to his step-grandchildren, Lorie Lawrence and
  her husband, Charles Ralph, Shasta Brooks and her husband, Scott
  Zogbaum, Boyd Brooks, and Brooks Lawrence and his wife, Christe; to
  his 11 great-grandchildren; and to his other relatives and many
  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 G. K.
  Lewallen.
 
  Sheffield
 
  ______________________________
  Speaker of the House     
 
         I certify that H.R. No. 126 was unanimously adopted by a
  rising vote of the House on February 19, 2015.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
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