Bill Text: TX HR135 | 2023 | 88th Legislature 3rd Special Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: In memory of Ewald Edward Koepp Jr. of La Vernia.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-11-02 - Reported enrolled [HR135 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-HR135-Enrolled.html
| H.R. No. 135 | ||
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| WHEREAS, La Vernia lost an admired civic leader with the | ||
| passing of former mayor Ewald Edward Koepp Jr. on March 20, 2016, at | ||
| the age of 86; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The son of E. O. and Theresa Koepp, "Junior" Koepp | ||
| was born on February 3, 1930; he played football as a student at La | ||
| Vernia High School and Texas Lutheran University, and he served his | ||
| country in the U.S. military during the Korean War; following in his | ||
| father's footsteps, he began working in the automotive industry at | ||
| an early age, and in 1969, he took over the family business, Koepp | ||
| Chevrolet; he dedicated himself to providing top-notch customer | ||
| service and the dealership flourished; he also took pride in his | ||
| role as developer of the Silverado Hills and Westover subdivisions; | ||
| and | ||
| WHEREAS, Mr. Koepp served his community in numerous | ||
| leadership roles; during 14 years as mayor, he oversaw the paving of | ||
| roads and the installation of a sewer system, among other | ||
| improvements; he further served as a member of the county school | ||
| board and Wilson County appraisal board and as an officer in the | ||
| volunteer fire department; a founder of the La Vernia Chamber of | ||
| Commerce and the Greater La Vernia Chamber of Commerce, he was an | ||
| active member of the Lions Club, Sons of Hermann, and American | ||
| Legion; he benefited youth as a scout leader, and he was a past | ||
| master of Masonic Lodge No. 226 and a member of Alzahar Temple; | ||
| committed to conservative values, he organized the Wilson County | ||
| Republican Party and served as chair for a dozen years; and | ||
| WHEREAS, A devoted family man, Mr. Koepp married Jewel Helmke | ||
| on April 10, 1955, and they became the parents of two sons, Dwight | ||
| and Hiram, and a daughter, Melissa; eventually, he was blessed with | ||
| nine grandchildren, Eric, Andrew, Lauren, Jessica, Elise, | ||
| Alexandria, Travis, Parker, and Ryan; sustained by a strong faith, | ||
| Mr. Koepp was a valued member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, where he | ||
| served as councilman and as a member of the cemetery committee; | ||
| following his retirement, he enjoyed spending time with friends and | ||
| relatives, working cattle on his ranch, fishing, hunting, and | ||
| pursuing his great passion, taking care of the land; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Junior Koepp gave freely of his time and expertise | ||
| to better his community, and his selfless example of public service | ||
| and civic engagement remains a source of inspiration to all who were | ||
| privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas | ||
| Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of | ||
| Ewald Edward Koepp Jr. and extend sincere condolences to his family | ||
| and 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 Junior | ||
| Koepp. | ||
| Guillen | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 135 was unanimously adopted by a | ||
| rising vote of the House on November 1, 2023. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
