H.C.R. No. 73
 
 
 
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
         WHEREAS, The Honorable James Ray Gayle III of Angleton passed
  away on May 18, 2022, at the age of 84, leaving his loved ones and
  friends to reflect on his remarkable life and his many years of
  dedicated service to the community; and
         WHEREAS, J. Ray Gayle was born in Houston on October 29, 1937,
  to James Ray Gayle Jr. and Lavenia Brewer Gayle, and he grew up with
  the companionship of a sister, Janice; he competed on the
  basketball, baseball, and track teams at Angleton High School, and
  he continued to distinguish himself athletically as a pole vaulter
  at The University of Texas; after earning an accounting degree in
  1960, he graduated from the UT School of Law in 1966; he served his
  country as a member of the United States Navy and the Naval Reserve,
  attaining the rank of lieutenant; and
         WHEREAS, In 1966, Mr. Gayle began his career as a felony
  prosecutor for Midland County; he worked for several years as a
  trial attorney in Texarkana and Angleton, and in 1973, he was
  appointed judge of County Court at Law No. 1 in Brazoria County;
  five years later, he successfully ran for judge of the 239th
  District Court, and he was returned to office by county voters for
  five successive terms for 24 years of service; he retired from that
  post and assumed senior judge status in 2003; and
         WHEREAS, Judge Gayle was a member of the State Bar of Texas,
  the Brazoria County Bar Association, and the Texas Bar Foundation;
  he gave back to his fellow citizens through his service as an elder
  and trustee of the First Presbyterian Church of Angleton, as
  president of the Angleton Lions Club and the Angleton Wildcat
  Athletic Booster Club, and as a member of the Greater Angleton
  Chamber of Commerce; he also coached both Little League and Babe
  Ruth baseball, and in recognition of his civic involvement, he
  received the Boy Scouts' 2018 Golden Eagle Award and the 2022
  Community Champion Award; and
         WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Judge Gayle enjoyed the love
  and support of his wife of 58 years, Nancy, their children, Shannon
  Gayle Sebesta and her husband, the Honorable Pat Sebesta, and James
  Ray "Chip" Gayle IV and his wife, Parrish Gayle, and their
  grandchildren, Patrick Sebesta and his wife, Keri, William,
  Christopher, Annabelle, and John Sebesta, and Jessica Gayle; and
         WHEREAS, A devoted family man, a proud veteran, and a pillar
  of his community, J. Ray Gayle leaves behind a legacy of service
  that will forever inspire all those who held him dear; now,
  therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas
  hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable James Ray Gayle III
  and extend sincere sympathy to those who mourn his passing; 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 and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of
  J. Ray Gayle.
 
  Vasut
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.C.R. No. 73 was unanimously adopted by a
  rising vote of the House on March 16, 2023.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.C.R. No. 73 was unanimously adopted by a
  rising vote of the Senate on April 3, 2023.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate   
  APPROVED: __________________
                  Date       
   
           __________________
                Governor