R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, July 11, 1997, marks the second anniversary of 1-2 Samuel Dock Gupton's passing; and 1-3 WHEREAS, A lifelong resident of West Columbia, he earned 1-4 distinction as a realtor and real estate developer who made 1-5 possible more residential housing in that community than any other 1-6 individual, and he also contributed to the region's economic 1-7 prosperity as secretary-treasurer of a construction company owned 1-8 by the late J. V. A. Kirksey and his family; and 1-9 WHEREAS, In addition to his outstanding career as a 1-10 businessman, Mr. Gupton will also be remembered for his exceptional 1-11 tenure on the West Columbia City Council, and he further served his 1-12 community through his involvement with several organizations, 1-13 including the board of the Gulf Coast Center for Mental Health and 1-14 Mental Retardation, the West Columbia Rotary Club, the West 1-15 Columbia Chamber of Commerce, and the West Columbia Cemetery 1-16 Association; and 1-17 WHEREAS, He was a founder of St. Mary's Episcopal Church and 1-18 was active with the American Legion, Little League, and Boy Scout 1-19 organizations as well, and his stalwart commitment earned him the 1-20 respect and admiration of many people; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Samuel Dock Gupton was a man of great vision who 1-22 left an indelible mark on the community he was proud to call home, 1-23 and though he is gone from us now, his memory will long endure in 1-24 the hearts and minds of all who were privileged to know him; now, 2-1 therefore, be it 2-2 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-3 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Samuel Dock Gupton 2-4 and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his 2-5 beloved wife, Bette Gupton; to his sons and daughters-in-law, Kirby 2-6 Gupton and Virginia Gupton and David Neal Roark and Suzanne Roark; 2-7 to his daughter and son-in-law, Denise Ingram and Bobby Ingram; to 2-8 his three brothers, T. M. Gupton, Rex Gupton, and M. A. Gupton; to 2-9 his four grandchildren, Rikki and Lorey Ingram and Ashley and Emily 2-10 Elizabeth Roark; and to the many other friends and relatives of 2-11 this distinguished Texan; and, be it further 2-12 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-13 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 2-14 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 2-15 Samuel Dock Gupton. Uher _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 545 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on April 18, 1997. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House