By: Haywood S.R. No. 575
1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION
1-2 In Memory
1-3 of
1-4 Marcus King
1-5 Jared Lee Wright
1-6 Jacob Justin Jones
1-7 Cheryl Campbell
1-8 Brad Lee Stewart
1-9 Anna Callie Doyle
1-10 Macy Mark Thomas
1-11 WHEREAS, Words cannot adequately convey the deep shock and
1-12 sorrow felt by all Texans who have heard of the recent tragedy that
1-13 has struck the close-knit community of Claude, which lost seven of
1-14 its finest young people in two separate accidents in February 1995;
1-15 and
1-16 WHEREAS, Blessed with boundless energy, determination, and
1-17 compassion for others, these remarkable individuals typified the
1-18 finest qualities of our state's young people and, at this time,
1-19 the members of this chamber would like to take a moment to pay
1-20 tribute to each of them, for their presence and achievements
1-21 enriched the lives of all who knew them; and
1-22 WHEREAS, A volunteer firefighter, Marcus King was the son
1-23 of Jeannie King White and Bob White and the youngest of three
2-1 children in his family; fun loving, popular among his peers, and
2-2 a track star at school, Marcus looked up to his big brother, Jimmy,
2-3 was the close confidant of his sister, Lanita, was adored by his
2-4 beloved nephew, Chaison, on whom he lavished attention, and was
2-5 cherished by his family for his sensitivity, compassion, and
2-6 humor; and
2-7 WHEREAS, At 6 feet 2 inches tall and all heart,
2-8 Jared Lee Wright, the son of Randy and Kim Wright, was ranked
2-9 number one in his class and had hoped to one day become a
2-10 physician; imbued with a genuine love for his fellowman, Jared was
2-11 a dedicated volunteer for the fire department, the Armstrong County
2-12 Museum, and the annual Lions Club Picnic, and he earned the
2-13 admiration of his community for his extensive academic honors,
2-14 his thoughtfulness in checking on elderly neighbors, and his
2-15 demonstrative affection for his parents, grandparents, and sister,
2-16 Jami, whose well-being he kept close to his heart; and
2-17 WHEREAS, Creative, fun loving, and mischievous,
2-18 Jacob Justin Jones, the son of Orville Jones and Armstrong County
2-19 Sheriff Carmella Jones and brother of Jessie Jones, was an avowed
2-20 class clown who brightened the lives of his family and friends with
2-21 his happy, carefree nature and his constant curiosity, which earned
2-22 him the nickname of "McGyver" among a number of his friends; he
2-23 enjoyed adopting unusual pets, writing poetry, drawing cartoons,
2-24 and designing sculptures and could warm the coldest heart with one
2-25 of his winning smiles; and
3-1 WHEREAS, A young woman who treasured her family, friends,
3-2 and faith, Cheryl Campbell played an active role in the youth group
3-3 of Claude United Methodist Church as well as the Fellowship of
3-4 Christian Athletes at Claude High School, where she also
3-5 participated in track and was a member of the high school band;
3-6 the daughter of Jerry and Cindy Campbell and sister of Audra,
3-7 Trista, and Chris Campbell, she was very organized in her daily
3-8 habits as one of four children in her close-knit family, and took
3-9 great delight in twirling her baton to the accompaniment of a
3-10 blaring radio, shopping for gifts for others, writing letters to
3-11 her relatives, which she would personalize in her own special way,
3-12 collecting Precious Moments dolls, and spending precious moments
3-13 with her family; and
3-14 WHEREAS, Warm and outgoing, Brad Lee Stewart was a source
3-15 of great pride to his parents, Jimmy and Nancy Stewart, and to
3-16 his sister, Danielle Stewart, and his friendly personality made
3-17 him an instant hit among his fellow students at Claude High School,
3-18 who recognized him for his congeniality when they named him Class
3-19 Favorite for 1993-1994; though he was an excellent baseball player
3-20 and involved in a number of demanding activities, Brad placed his
3-21 spiritual growth high on his list of priorities and was deeply
3-22 committed to his faith as a member of the Claude First United
3-23 Methodist Church and its youth group; and
3-24 WHEREAS, Equally dedicated to her faith was
3-25 Anna Callie Doyle, a lovely young woman who, in addition to her
4-1 activities with the United Methodist Church, served as a recruiter
4-2 for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Claude High School,
4-3 where she excelled in academics and was, in fact, so gifted that
4-4 she could have gained admittance to most universities while a
4-5 student in the seventh grade based on the high scores she received
4-6 when she took the ACT college entrance exam that year; the daughter
4-7 of Chris and John Doyle and sister of Andrea and John Doyle, Anna
4-8 maintained a very close relationship with her grandparents, loved
4-9 horses, a number of which she helped raise, and though she was not
4-10 a natural athlete, was active in numerous team sports and was
4-11 greatly admired by her coaches and teammates for the sincere pride
4-12 she took in being a part of the team; and
4-13 WHEREAS, Honest, hardworking, and disciplined,
4-14 Macy Mark Thomas, the son of Carol and Mark Thomas and brother of
4-15 Craig Thomas, was a young man who, like his friends, had amassed
4-16 a wealth of achievement for one so young and looked forward to a
4-17 future bright with promise; he demonstrated exemplary dedication
4-18 in attaining the rigorous goals he demanded of himself and brought
4-19 honor to his God, his family, his friends, and the greater
4-20 community through the kindness and compassion he showed toward
4-21 others; and
4-22 WHEREAS, Beloved by those who were privileged to share their
4-23 affection and friendship through the years, the passing of these
4-24 seven young people has left a huge void in the community they have
4-25 left behind; as the citizens of Claude struggle to rebuild their
5-1 lives without their loved ones, our thoughts and prayers will be
5-2 with them, as will the memory of these remarkable young people,
5-3 whose vibrant presence will not quickly be forgotten; now,
5-4 therefore, be it
5-5 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
5-6 74th Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the lives of Marcus King,
5-7 Jared Wright, Anna Doyle, Cheryl Campbell, Jake Jones, Brad Stewart,
5-8 and Macy Thomas and extend sincere condolences to the members of
5-9 their families: Jeannie, Bob, Lanita, and Jimmy White; Kim, Randy,
5-10 and Jami Wright; Chris, John, Andrea, and John Doyle; Cindy, Jerry,
5-11 Audra, Trista, and Chris Campbell; Carmella, Orville, and
5-12 Jessie Jones; Nancy, Jimmy, and Danielle Stewart; Carol, Mark, and
5-13 Craig Thomas; and to their many other friends and relatives
5-14 throughout the community; and, be it further
5-15 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
5-16 prepared for the members of their families as an expression of
5-17 deepest sympathy from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate
5-18 adjourns this day, it do so in memory of these exceptional young
5-19 Texans.
5-20 ______________________________________
5-21 President of the Senate
5-22 I hereby certify that the above
5-23 Resolution was adopted by the Senate
5-24 on April 3, 1995, by a rising vote.
5-25 ______________________________________
6-1 Secretary of the Senate
6-2 ______________________________________
6-3 Member, Texas Senate