Bill Text: TX SR736 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: In memory of Billy Ray Thompson.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2017-05-08 - Reported enrolled [SR736 Detail]
Download: Texas-2017-SR736-Enrolled.html
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| In Memory | ||
| of | ||
| Billy Ray Thompson | ||
| WHEREAS, Memories of a life filled with joyful times and | ||
| meaningful accomplishments remain to comfort the family and | ||
| friends of Billy Ray Thompson of Tyler, who passed away on | ||
| November 5, 2016, at the age of 69; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The son of Billy Dale Thompson and Virginia Nell | ||
| Lytle Thompson, Ray Thompson was born in Monticello, Arkansas, | ||
| on February 9, 1947; he graduated from the University of | ||
| Southern Mississippi and went on to complete his master's | ||
| degree in business administration at Louisiana State | ||
| University; during Mardi Gras in New Orleans in 1967, he met | ||
| his future wife, the former Marilyn Miller, and they married on | ||
| November 28, 1969, in Vicksburg, Mississippi; the couple | ||
| became the parents of two sons, Eric and Brian, and as the boys | ||
| began participating in sports, Mr. Thompson delighted in | ||
| watching their events and devising cutting-edge training | ||
| regimens for them; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Mr. Thompson began his distinguished career in | ||
| hospital administration at the University of Alabama; | ||
| subsequently, he became vice president of Lane Memorial Hospital | ||
| in Zachary, Louisiana, and then senior vice president of Hermann | ||
| Hospital in Houston; in 1981, he joined Mother Frances Hospital | ||
| in Tyler, and he was instrumental in launching the first | ||
| cardiovascular program in East Texas and in setting the | ||
| institution on the path toward becoming a regional system; a | ||
| founding executive of the Trinity Mother Frances Health System, | ||
| he developed its network of clinics, established an expansive | ||
| emergency medicine program, and created one of the nation's model | ||
| sports medicine programs; under his guidance, the system gained | ||
| national recognition for clinical excellence, operational | ||
| efficiency, and patient safety and satisfaction; moreover, he | ||
| played a pivotal role in the decision to merge with CHRISTUS | ||
| Health in 2016, and he was appointed president of that | ||
| organization; a visionary leader, he was a powerful advocate for | ||
| the implementation of robotic surgery, the FamilyCARE Center, | ||
| ConnectCARE, and the Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital, and | ||
| his efforts led to the creation of the Ornelas Tower, a number of | ||
| regional health parks, the community hospital in South Tyler, and | ||
| many other facilities in East Texas; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Deeply committed to health care and to the | ||
| community, Mr. Thompson gave generously of his time and expertise | ||
| to many professional and community organizations, among them the | ||
| American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, the Boy | ||
| Scouts of America, and Hospice of East Texas; he was also a driving | ||
| force in the construction of new athletic facilities for both | ||
| Robert E. Lee and John Tyler High Schools; and | ||
| WHEREAS, This high-powered executive had a rare ability to | ||
| maintain a work-life balance, and he shared countless happy hours | ||
| relaxing with his beloved family; during 47 years of marriage, he | ||
| and his wife laughed together every single day, and they enjoyed | ||
| traveling to the Gulf Coast, the Florida Keys, and especially | ||
| their Riverland property in Saint Joseph, Louisiana; | ||
| Mr. Thompson took hunting trips all over the world and loved | ||
| cycling and completing his legendary workout routines; his | ||
| rugged outdoorsy exterior belied a soft heart that melted | ||
| completely in the company of his three treasured grandchildren, | ||
| Chase, Reid, and Miller, and he joined his wife in spoiling their | ||
| Dobermans as well; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Ray Thompson left an outstanding legacy through | ||
| his tremendous contributions to health care in East Texas, and | ||
| although he is greatly missed, the passage of time will never | ||
| diminish the joy, warmth, and generosity that he brought into the | ||
| lives of his loved ones; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th | ||
| Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the memory of Billy Ray | ||
| Thompson and extend sincere condolences to all who mourn his | ||
| passing; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for | ||
| his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this day, it do | ||
| so in memory of Ray Thompson. | ||
| Hughes | ||
| ________________________________ | ||
| President of the Senate | ||
| I hereby certify that the | ||
| above Resolution was adopted by | ||
| the Senate on May 8, 2017, by a | ||
| rising vote. | ||
| ________________________________ | ||
| Secretary of the Senate | ||
| ________________________________ | ||
| Member, Texas Senate | ||
