By Alexander H.R. No. 581 74R9786 SAJ-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Burton Stewart Sneed, Jr., on March 1-2 18, 1995, at the age of 69, has brought a great loss to the many 1-3 friends and relatives of this distinguished and public-spirited 1-4 Texan; and 1-5 WHEREAS, The son of Ira and Burton Stewart Sneed, Sr., he was 1-6 born November 27, 1925, in Cuney; he received his bachelor of 1-7 science degree from Prairie View A&M University before going on to 1-8 earn master of science and master of administration degrees from 1-9 that institution; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Mr. Sneed was a dutiful and patriotic man who came 1-11 to the aid of his country during the Korean conflict, and he was 1-12 honored for his brave and meritorious service with the United 1-13 Nations Service Award, the Korean Service Medal, and two Bronze 1-14 Stars; and 1-15 WHEREAS, He was well regarded throughout the community for 1-16 his many years of dedicated service as an educator with the Goodlow 1-17 and Kerens school systems; a teacher in the truest sense of the 1-18 word, he always helped and encouraged his students to reach their 1-19 highest potential, and in doing so he earned a special place in the 1-20 hearts of countless individuals; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Deeply committed to his chosen profession, he 1-22 continued to positively affect a host of financial issues important 1-23 to fellow educators as a board member with the Texas State Teachers 1-24 Credit Union; and 2-1 WHEREAS, He established himself as a fixture in the Kerens 2-2 area through his outstanding civic involvement, working tirelessly 2-3 to ensure the health and safety of his many friends and neighbors 2-4 as a member of the Kerens Volunteer Fire Department, the Navarro 2-5 County Sheriff's Reserve, and the board of Navarro Regional 2-6 Hospital; and 2-7 WHEREAS, He also served with distinction in leadership 2-8 positions with the Kerens Housing Authority and the Kerens Chamber 2-9 of Commerce, which honored him for his outstanding contributions as 2-10 its Man of the Year; he also contributed wise and thoughtful 2-11 guidance as a member of the advisory board of Cedar Creek Bank; and 2-12 WHEREAS, A man of diverse talents, he also was well known for 2-13 his work as a rancher, and he treasured the many close friendships 2-14 that he developed over the years as a loyal member of the Kerens 2-15 Kiwanis Club; and 2-16 WHEREAS, In recognition of his outstanding contributions to 2-17 the local community, he was honored with the K. Wolens 2-18 Distinguished Service Award; and 2-19 WHEREAS, Mr. Sneed was nourished by a deep and abiding 2-20 religious faith that he expressed as a deacon and member of New 2-21 Hope Baptist Church of Kerens, and he received special comfort in 2-22 times of need from the 23rd psalm; and 2-23 WHEREAS, A man of great vision, he devoted much of his 2-24 lifetime to the betterment of his community, and though his special 2-25 presence will be deeply missed, his spirit will surely live on in 2-26 the hearts and minds of the many people whose lives he touched; 2-27 now, therefore, be it 3-1 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 3-2 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Burton Stewart Sneed, 3-3 Jr., and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to 3-4 his beloved wife, LaVerne Barton Sneed; to his daughter and 3-5 son-in-law, Pamela and Ralph Porter; to his grandchildren, Lauren 3-6 Denyse and Ryan Sneed Porter; to his three sisters, Bernice 3-7 Greenwood, Benna Lewis, and Gladys Thomas; and to the many other 3-8 friends and relatives of this exceptional gentleman; and, be it 3-9 further 3-10 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-11 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 3-12 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 3-13 Burton Stewart Sneed, Jr.