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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The life of an admired coach and educator drew to a |
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close with the untimely passing of Tommy Lee Grace of Graham on July |
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7, 2016, at the age of 63; and |
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WHEREAS, A native of Odessa, Tommy Grace was born on October |
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15, 1952, to Albert Thomas Grace Jr. and Myra Grace; he graduated |
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from Gordon High School and served his country as a member of the |
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United States Army during the Vietnam War before earning a master's |
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degree from Tarleton State University; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Grace enjoyed a notable tenure with the Graham |
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Independent School District that spanned more than two decades; in |
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addition to coaching football, boys' and girls' basketball, track, |
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and golf, he served as the boys' athletic director and taught |
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science at Graham Junior High School; active in his professional |
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community, he was a member of the Texas High School Coaches |
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Association and the Coaches Outreach ministry; and |
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WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan married the love of his life, |
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the former Debra Strain, on December 23, 1972, and the couple |
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nurtured a rewarding union that was blessed with two children, |
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Kelley and Jeff, and five grandchildren, Logan, Ryan, Joshua, |
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Hattie Belle, and Kyle; and |
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WHEREAS, Tommy Grace lived a rich and purposeful life, and |
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memories of his devotion to his family, his students, and his |
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community will continue to inspire all those who knew and loved him; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Tommy Lee Grace and |
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extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his |
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wife, Debra Grace; to his children, Kelley Schmidt and her husband, |
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Andrew, and Jeff Grace and his wife, Jessica; to his grandchildren, |
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Logan, Ryan, Joshua, and Hattie Belle Grace and Kyle Schmidt; to his |
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siblings, Jackie Corley and her husband, Benny, and Albert Grace |
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III and his wife, Linda; and to his many other relatives and |
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friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Tommy Lee |
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Grace. |
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Springer |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1444 was unanimously adopted by a |
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rising vote of the House on April 27, 2017. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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