Bill Text: TX HR755 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: In memory of W. A. "Skeeter" Orton, Jr., of Baytown.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2013-03-21 - Reported enrolled [HR755 Detail]
Download: Texas-2013-HR755-Enrolled.html
H.R. No. 755 |
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WHEREAS, Friends and family are mourning the loss of | ||
W. A. Orton, Jr., of Baytown, who died on October 25, 2012, at the | ||
age of 86; and | ||
WHEREAS, "Skeeter" Orton was born on March 1, 1926, in | ||
Baytown, and his keen interest in sports was evident from an early | ||
age, when he became a bat boy for a local semipro baseball team; he | ||
played football at Robert E. Lee High School and Stephen F. Austin | ||
State University, and went on to earn his bachelor's degree in | ||
government and physical education at Sam Houston State University, | ||
where he presided over the Baytown Club; during his service in the | ||
U.S. Army, Mr. Orton joined a military football team that won the | ||
European championship in Germany; and | ||
WHEREAS, Following his discharge, he went to work for the | ||
Humble Oil and Refining Company, later known as Exxon; he retired in | ||
1986; and | ||
WHEREAS, Mr. Orton's passion for athletics continued through | ||
his involvement in youth sports, and he mentored hundreds of boys | ||
while coaching baseball, football, and basketball; he dedicated | ||
many long hours to giving instruction on the finer points of games, | ||
and with his kindness, patience, and calm demeanor, he taught | ||
lessons that went far beyond sports; he was honored for his work | ||
with the Baytown Community Service Award and the Optimist Youth | ||
Club Award; and | ||
WHEREAS, Throughout his life, Mr. Orton was deeply engaged in | ||
his community; he was a charter member of the Bay Area Heritage | ||
Society and held a place on the inaugural board of directors of the | ||
Baytown YMCA; he served as an assistant scoutmaster and worked with | ||
the East Harris District Scout Board and the Sam Houston Area | ||
Council; in addition, he was a valued member of the board of | ||
directors of the Hill Country ExxonMobil Retirees Club; and | ||
WHEREAS, Mr. Orton also took great pleasure in attending | ||
sports events, and he was such a well-known fan in Fredericksburg | ||
that he received a Spirit Stick citation from the high school | ||
cheerleaders and was asked to throw out the first pitch at several | ||
baseball contests; other pastimes he enjoyed included listening to | ||
music, going to movies, reading, and studying history; and | ||
WHEREAS, For nearly six decades, he enjoyed the love and | ||
support of his wife, the former Wanda Jones, whom he met when they | ||
acted together in a play at Lee College; married in 1954, the couple | ||
were blessed with a daughter, Jan, and their family later grew to | ||
include a granddaughter, Olivia, and a grandson, Scott; and | ||
WHEREAS, A beloved mentor known for his optimism and an | ||
infectious smile, Skeeter Orton was a positive influence in the | ||
lives of countless young people, and he leaves behind a legacy that | ||
will resonate in the community for years to come; now, therefore, be | ||
it | ||
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas | ||
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of W. A. Orton, Jr., and | ||
extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his | ||
wife, Wanda Orton; to his daughter, Jan McGowen; to his | ||
grandchildren, Olivia and Scott McGowen; 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 Skeeter | ||
Orton. | ||
Smith | ||
______________________________ | ||
Speaker of the House | ||
I certify that H.R. No. 755 was unanimously adopted by a | ||
rising vote of the House on March 20, 2013. | ||
______________________________ | ||
Chief Clerk of the House | ||