Bill Text: TX HR397 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: In memory of John "J. D." Centilli of Waxahachie.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)
Status: (Passed) 2025-03-14 - Reported enrolled [HR397 Detail]
Download: Texas-2025-HR397-Enrolled.html
| H.R. No. 397 | ||
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| WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew to | ||
| a close with the passing of John Centilli of Waxahachie on | ||
| November 7, 2024, at the age of 95; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The son of F. L. and Mary Centilli, "J. D." Centilli | ||
| was born in Del Rio on October 31, 1929, and he grew up with the | ||
| companionship of six siblings, Florine, Bill, Junior, Frank, | ||
| Gerald, and Pat; a talented athlete, he ran track and played | ||
| football and basketball in high school, and while attending Texas | ||
| A&M University, he was a member of the Aggie football team; after | ||
| earning his bachelor's degree in physical education in 1952, he | ||
| served for two years as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, receiving | ||
| the National Defense Service Medal; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Following his tenure in the military, Mr. Centilli | ||
| returned to Texas A&M to obtain his master's degree in education; | ||
| while there, he met the love of his life, the former Pauline | ||
| Malazzo; the couple married on June 18, 1960, and they became the | ||
| proud parents of three sons, Doug, Jeff, and Greg; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Mr. Centilli enjoyed a long and rewarding career as | ||
| an educator, coach, and administrator; as a high school football | ||
| coach, his teams won multiple district championships and advanced | ||
| to the state finals; he ultimately became the assistant | ||
| superintendent of schools for the Waxahachie Independent School | ||
| District, where he retired in 1991; among his numerous accolades, | ||
| he was inducted into the Coastal Bend Coaches Association Hall of | ||
| Honor in 2000; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Active in his community, Mr. Centilli was a member | ||
| of the Knights of Columbus and president of the Waxahachie Lions | ||
| Club; he took pleasure in spending time on his land, tending to his | ||
| peach orchard, welding, and woodworking; a man of faith, he was a | ||
| longtime parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church; and | ||
| WHEREAS, While the passing of J. D. Centilli brings great | ||
| sadness to his family and friends, he leaves behind a legacy that | ||
| will long be treasured by all those who held him dear; now, | ||
| therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas | ||
| Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of John Centilli and that | ||
| sincere condolences be extended to the members of his family: to his | ||
| wife, Pauline Centilli; to his sons, Doug, Jeff, and Greg Centilli; | ||
| to his brother, Pat Centilli, and his wife, Martha; 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 House of | ||
| Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of J. D. | ||
| Centilli. | ||
| Ashby | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 397 was unanimously adopted by a | ||
| rising vote of the House on March 13, 2025. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
