By Seaman H.R. No. 167 75R5365 WMS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The recent passing of Ralph W. Burgess, on his 67th 1-2 birthday, has brought a great loss to the many friends and 1-3 relatives of this esteemed Edna resident; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Born January 26, 1930, to Vernon and Irma Burgess, 1-5 he attended Texas A&M University and earned a degree in 1-6 agricultural education from that fine institution; and 1-7 WHEREAS, Mr. Burgess was an exemplary patriot and served his 1-8 nation with distinction for two years during the Korean War as a 1-9 second lieutenant with the U.S. Army Transportation Division; and 1-10 WHEREAS, On completing his military service, he moved to 1-11 Brazos County, and while there he worked closely with the 4-H and 1-12 Youth Rodeo Association as an assistant county agent; he served as 1-13 manager of the Wharton County Chamber of Commerce from 1957 to 1-14 1965, and his tenure in that demanding position was marked by the 1-15 successful establishment of the Industrial Foundation and the 1-16 Industrial Park; and 1-17 WHEREAS, After moving to neighboring Jackson County, 1-18 Mr. Burgess took a position as a sales manager at Wells-Wright, 1-19 Inc., Ready Mix Concrete Co., where he was a valued employee from 1-20 1965 to 1972, and he went on to become a highly successful sales 1-21 representative for Kaiser Cement Corp., from 1972 until his 1-22 retirement from the company in 1985; in addition, this dynamic 1-23 individual was the owner of Burgess Realty in Edna from 1986 to 1-24 1989; and 2-1 WHEREAS, He was a guiding force on the Jackson County Chamber 2-2 of Commerce and Agriculture for many years, and provided visionary 2-3 leadership as a member of that organization's board of directors 2-4 from 1970 to 1976, and as president from 1972 to 1973; and 2-5 WHEREAS, A true pillar of the community, he devoted his time 2-6 and energy to the service of fellow citizens in such varied 2-7 capacities as president and organizer of the Youth Builders, vice 2-8 president and manager of the Jackson County Industrial Foundation, 2-9 and president of the Edna Rotary Club; he also served on the 2-10 planning commission and the recreation committee for the City of 2-11 Edna and as director of the Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association; 2-12 and 2-13 WHEREAS, Mr. Burgess received many well-deserved accolades 2-14 for his efforts in behalf of his fellow citizens, including 2-15 "Outstanding Man of the Year" in recognition of his youth and 2-16 community work, and "Rotarian of the Year" for 1991 to 1992; and 2-17 WHEREAS, Ralph W. Burgess was a man of rare dedication and 2-18 compassion; although his warmth and wisdom are gone from us now, 2-19 his remarkable spirit will surely live on in the hearts of the many 2-20 whose lives he touched during his time on this earth; now, 2-21 therefore, be it 2-22 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-23 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Ralph W. Burgess and 2-24 extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, 2-25 Joan Burgess; to his daughters, Lorrie Sampson and Lisa Gayle Wyer; 2-26 to his sister, Betty Jo Stewart; to his aunt, Nina McConnell; to 2-27 his four grandchildren; and to the many other friends and relatives 3-1 of this beloved gentleman; and, be it further 3-2 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-3 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 3-4 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 3-5 Ralph W. Burgess.