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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, A full and generous life drew to a close with the |
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passing of Billie Joe Dean of Gilmer on August 20, 2023, at the age |
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of 97; and |
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WHEREAS, The son of Jerry and Maggie Dean, Bill Dean was born |
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in Upshur County on January 5, 1926, and he grew up with eight |
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siblings, Ella, Gerald, John, Everett, Winnie, Rose, Margie, and |
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Jerrianne; answering his nation's call to duty, he joined the U.S. |
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Navy in 1942 at the age of 16; he was assigned to the Naval |
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Construction Force as a member of the Seabees and served until 1946; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Returning to Upshur County, Mr. Dean exchanged |
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wedding vows with the former Virginia Bowden on April 28, 1947; the |
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couple raised their three children, Billy, Ginger, and Terry Joe, |
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in Gilmer, where they permanently settled, and they shared more |
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than seven and a half decades together before Mrs. Dean's passing; |
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through the years, Mr. Dean had the pleasure of seeing his family |
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grow to include 7 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 1 |
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great-great-grandchild; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Dean was employed with Dean Lumber Company for |
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numerous years, and he also owned and operated heavy equipment; a |
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friend to many, he was beloved for his keen wit and wonderful sense |
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of humor; he enjoyed playing checkers and dominoes in his leisure |
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hours, especially the game of 42, and he earned a reputation for his |
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ability to serve up a delicious pot of chili; a man of faith, he was |
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a lifelong member of Gilmer Church of Christ; and |
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WHEREAS, Those who were privileged to share in this esteemed |
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man's love and friendship will always remember him with great |
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tenderness and affection; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature, 3rd |
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Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory of Billie Joe Dean |
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and extend heartfelt condolences to the members of his family: to |
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his children, Billy Ray Dean and his wife, Brenda, and Ginger |
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Cargal; to his grandchildren, Michael Dean Gage and his wife, |
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Brandie, Rebekah Brown, Eric Dean, Luke Dean and his wife, Katie, |
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Liz Couch and her husband, Randy, Sarah Smith and her husband, |
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Russell, and Wesley Cargal and his wife, Amber; to his |
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great-grandchildren, Dutch Dean Gage, Caleb, Hannah, and Abbie |
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Brown, Mahri, Paisley, Charlotte, Jex, Norah, and Elliott Dean, |
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Lauren and Brooke Couch, Riley and Reagan Smith, and Desiree |
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Pierce; to his great-great-grandchild, Bohdi Allen Pierce; and to |
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his other relatives and 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 Senate adjourns this |
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day, it do so in memory of Bill Dean. |