H.R. No. 505
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, Words cannot adequately convey the deep shock and
1-2 sorrow felt by all Texans who have heard of the recent tragedy that
1-3 has struck the close-knit community of Claude, which lost seven of
1-4 its finest young people in two separate accidents in February 1995;
1-5 and
1-6 WHEREAS, Blessed with boundless energy, determination, and
1-7 compassion for others, these remarkable individuals typified the
1-8 finest qualities of our state's young people and, at this time, the
1-9 members of this chamber would like to take a moment to pay tribute
1-10 to each of them, for their presence and achievements enriched the
1-11 lives of all who knew them; and
1-12 WHEREAS, A volunteer firefighter, Marcus King was the son of
1-13 Jeannie King White and Bob White and the youngest of three children
1-14 in his family; fun loving, popular among his peers, and a track
1-15 star at school, Marcus looked up to his big brother, Jimmy, was the
1-16 close confidant of his sister, Lanita, was adored by his beloved
1-17 nephew, Chaison, on whom he lavished attention, and was cherished
1-18 by his family for his sensitivity, compassion, and humor; and
1-19 WHEREAS, At 6 feet 2 inches tall and all heart, Jared Lee
1-20 Wright, the son of Randy and Kim Wright, was ranked number one in
1-21 his class and had hoped to one day become a physician; imbued with
1-22 a genuine love for his fellowman, Jared was a dedicated volunteer
1-23 for the fire department, the Armstrong County Museum, and the
1-24 annual Lions Club Picnic and earned the admiration of his community
2-1 for his extensive academic honors, his thoughtfulness in checking
2-2 on elderly neighbors, and his demonstrative affection for his
2-3 parents, grandparents, and sister, Jami, whose well-being he kept
2-4 close to his heart; and
2-5 WHEREAS, Creative, fun loving, and mischievous, Jacob Justin
2-6 Jones, the son of Orville Jones and Armstrong County Sheriff
2-7 Carmella Jones and brother of Jessie Jones, was an avowed class
2-8 clown who brightened the lives of his family and friends with his
2-9 happy, carefree nature and his constant curiosity, which earned him
2-10 the nickname of "McGyver" among a number of his friends; he enjoyed
2-11 adopting unusual pets, writing poetry, drawing cartoons, and
2-12 designing sculptures and could warm the coldest heart with one of
2-13 his winning smiles; and
2-14 WHEREAS, A young woman who treasured her family, friends, and
2-15 faith, Cheryl Campbell played an active role in the youth group of
2-16 Claude United Methodist Church as well as the Fellowship of
2-17 Christian Athletes at Claude High School, where she also
2-18 participated in track and was a member of the high school band; the
2-19 daughter of Jerry and Cindy Campbell and sister of Audra, Trista,
2-20 and Chris Campbell, she was very organized in her daily habits as
2-21 one of four children in her close-knit family, and took great
2-22 delight in twirling her baton to the accompaniment of a blaring
2-23 radio, shopping for gifts for others, writing letters to her
2-24 relatives, which she would personalize in her own special way,
2-25 collecting Precious Moments dolls, and spending precious moments
2-26 with her family; and
2-27 WHEREAS, Warm and outgoing, Brad Lee Stewart was a source of
3-1 great pride to his parents, Jimmy and Nancy Stewart, and to his
3-2 sister, Danielle Stewart, and his friendly personality made him an
3-3 instant hit among his fellow students at Claude High School, who
3-4 recognized him for his congeniality when they named him Class
3-5 Favorite for 1993-94; though he was an excellent baseball player
3-6 and involved in a number of demanding activities, Brad placed his
3-7 spiritual growth high on his list of priorities and was deeply
3-8 committed to his faith as a member of the Claude First United
3-9 Methodist Church and its youth group; and
3-10 WHEREAS, Equally dedicated to her faith was Anna Callie
3-11 Doyle, a lovely young woman who, in addition to her activities with
3-12 the United Methodist Church, served as a recruiter for the
3-13 Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Claude High School, where she
3-14 excelled in academics and was, in fact, so gifted that she could
3-15 have gained admittance to most universities while a student in the
3-16 seventh grade based on the high scores she received when she took
3-17 the ACT college entrance exam that year; the daughter of Chris and
3-18 John Doyle and sister of Andrea and John Doyle, Anna maintained a
3-19 very close relationship with her grandparents, loved horses, a
3-20 number of which she helped raise, and though she was not a natural
3-21 athlete, was active in numerous team sports and was greatly admired
3-22 by her coaches and teammates for the sincere pride she took in
3-23 being a part of the team; and
3-24 WHEREAS, Honest, hardworking, and disciplined, Macy Mark
3-25 Thomas, the son of Carol and Mark Thomas and brother of Craig
3-26 Thomas, was a young man who, like his friends, had amassed a wealth
3-27 of achievement for one so young and looked forward to a future
4-1 bright with promise; he demonstrated exemplary dedication in
4-2 attaining the rigorous goals he demanded of himself and brought
4-3 honor to his God, to his family, to his friends, and to the greater
4-4 community through the kindness and compassion he showed toward
4-5 others; and
4-6 WHEREAS, Beloved by those who were privileged to share their
4-7 affection and friendship through the years, the passing of these
4-8 seven young people has left a huge void in the community they have
4-9 left behind; as the citizens of Claude struggle to rebuild their
4-10 lives without their loved ones, our thoughts and prayers will be
4-11 with them, as will the memory of these remarkable young people,
4-12 whose vibrant presence will not quickly be forgotten; now,
4-13 therefore, be it
4-14 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
4-15 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the lives of Marcus King, Jared
4-16 Wright, Anna Doyle, Cheryl Campbell, Jake Jones, Brad Stewart, and
4-17 Macy Thomas and extend deepest sympathy to the members of their
4-18 families: Jeannie, Bob, Lanita, and Jimmy White; Kim, Randy, and
4-19 Jami Wright; Chris, John, Andrea, and John Doyle; Cindy, Jerry,
4-20 Audra, Trista, and Chris Campbell; Carmella, Orville, and Jessie
4-21 Jones; Nancy, Jimmy, and Danielle Stewart; Carol, Mark, and Craig
4-22 Thomas; and to their many other friends and relatives throughout
4-23 the community; and, be it further
4-24 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
4-25 prepared for the members of their families and that when the Texas
4-26 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
4-27 these exceptional young Texans.