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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Memories of a life filled with joyful times and |
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meaningful accomplishments remain to comfort the family and friends |
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of Louis Gilbert Ayala of Fort Worth, who passed away on January 14, |
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2021, at the age of 90; and |
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WHEREAS, The son of Maria and Eutimio Ayala, Louis Ayala was |
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born in Hartford City, Indiana, on July 21, 1930, and he grew up in |
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Fort Worth with the companionship of 13 siblings, Joe, Stanley, |
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Anne, Isabel, Dolores, Carmen, Michael, Rosie, Cora, Juanita, |
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Teresa, John, and Jesse; possessed of an entrepreneurial spirit |
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from an early age, he began shining shoes outside of local |
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businesses when he was just eight years old, and he was later hired |
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to shine shoes at a neighborhood barber shop; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Ayala enrolled in barber school when he turned |
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14, and at age 15, he began a career as a professional barber that |
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would span 75 years; in 1958, he opened his own shop, which he |
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continued to operate until 2019, when he leased it to other barbers |
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and joined his wife at her salon; known for his generosity, |
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kindness, and humor, he maintained a clientele of loyal customers, |
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with generations of families coming to him for haircuts as well as |
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for conversation and camaraderie; additionally, his skillful work |
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earned him the attention of a film production company, and he was a |
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consultant and stylist for period films such as JFK and Born on the |
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Fourth of July; in 2020, he was recognized by the Texas Department |
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of Licensing and Regulation as the oldest active barber in the |
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state, and the Fort Worth City Council honored him for his 75 years |
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of service; and |
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WHEREAS, An engaged citizen, Mr. Ayala volunteered his time |
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by cutting hair at area nursing homes; he was also a longtime |
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advocate for the advancement of the Hispanic and North Side |
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communities; an avid golfer, he served on the City of Fort Worth |
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Golf Advisory Committee, where his contributions led to the |
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redevelopment of Rockwood Golf Course; and |
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WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Ayala enjoyed the love and |
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support of his wife, Delia, with whom he shared a rewarding union of |
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five decades; he took great pride in his children, Emily, Louis, |
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Sam, Melissa Ann, Maria Melissa, Cecilia, and the late Albert E. |
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Ayala, and he was further blessed with 16 grandchildren and |
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numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and |
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WHEREAS, While the death of Louis Ayala brings immeasurable |
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sorrow to his loved ones, he leaves behind a legacy that will long |
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be treasured by those who held him dear; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Louis Gilbert Ayala |
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and extend sincere condolences to all who mourn his passing; and, be |
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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 Louis |
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Ayala. |