By Telford                                             H.R. No. 165
         76R5672 WMS-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The passing of Vasco Russell on October 2, 1998, at
 1-2     the age of 85, brought a great loss to the many friends and
 1-3     relatives of this respected DeKalb resident; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Born in DeKalb in 1913, he was a descendant of one
 1-5     of the area's oldest settlers, John Harty; Mr. Russell graduated
 1-6     from East Texas State Teacher's College and served his nation with
 1-7     distinction during World War II as a member of the U.S. Army Air
 1-8     Corps; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, Mr. Russell began his career in the field of
1-10     education in 1936 at Old Salem School and went on to serve as
1-11     principal at Simms for three years; after completing his military
1-12     service, he resumed his career as principal at Mount Sterling and
1-13     at Hubbard School; and
1-14           WHEREAS, In 1956 this esteemed educator became principal at
1-15     DeKalb Elementary and Junior High School, and he continued in that
1-16     position at the elementary school when the campuses were divided;
1-17     an outstanding administrator and classroom teacher, Mr. Russell
1-18     emphasized academic excellence but also found time to play football
1-19     with students during recess until his retirement in 1978; and
1-20           WHEREAS, Mr. Russell was an active member of the First United
1-21     Methodist Church in DeKalb, where he participated in the Methodist
1-22     Men's Sunday School Class, and he also devoted his time and energy
1-23     to the Western Bowie County Retired Teachers; and
1-24           WHEREAS, The many individuals who were privileged to know
 2-1     Mr. Russell will long miss his presence, and he will surely be
 2-2     remembered with great affection and admiration for many years to
 2-3     come; now, therefore, be it
 2-4           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
 2-5     Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Vasco Russell and
 2-6     extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his
 2-7     daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Mark Ray; to his son and
 2-8     daughter-in-law, Dr. J. Michael Russell and Margaret Russell; to
 2-9     his sister, Cledyth White; to his sister-in-law, Mary Walker; to
2-10     his brother-in-law, James Tidwell; to his grandchildren,
2-11     Mary-Caitlin Ray, Oliver Ray, and James Michael Russell; and to his
2-12     nieces and nephews; and, be it further
2-13           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-14     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
2-15     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
2-16     Vasco Russell.