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

Texas House Resolution 126 (Prior Session Legislation)

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