By Uher                                                H.R. No. 440
         76R9131 MDM-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The passing of John Coble "Red" Richards on February
 1-2     4, 1998, at the age of 81, brought a great loss to the family and
 1-3     friends of this beloved gentleman, and, following the first
 1-4     anniversary of his death, it is appropriate that we pay tribute to
 1-5     his life; and
 1-6           WHEREAS, Born on July 27, 1916, Mr. Richards graduated from
 1-7     Palacios High School and attended Texas A&M University; he was a
 1-8     loyal employee of Central Power and Light and retired in 1981 after
 1-9     a 45-year career with that company; and
1-10           WHEREAS, This devoted family man enjoyed a strong and loving
1-11     relationship with his wife of 58 years, Fanell, until her passing;
1-12     married on August 27, 1938, they were blessed with two daughters,
1-13     Jill and Lynn, and a son, Jack; through the years, Mr. Richards
1-14     welcomed eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren into
1-15     their close-knit family; and
1-16           WHEREAS, A member of First Baptist Church, this commendable
1-17     gentleman shared his time and talents with several community
1-18     organizations; he held the positions of president, director, and
1-19     secretary in the Palacios Rotary Club and was vice president of the
1-20     Palacios Chamber of Commerce; and
1-21           WHEREAS, Mr. Richards assumed leadership roles with the
1-22     United Way and the Salvation Army, served as assistant chief and
1-23     secretary in the Palacios Volunteer Fire Department, and was
1-24     president of the Texas Mid-Coast Little League; in addition, he was
 2-1     a senior pilot in the U.S. Air Force Civil Air Patrol and enjoyed
 2-2     spending time woodworking, fishing, and hunting; and
 2-3           WHEREAS, John Coble "Red" Richards was a man of rare honor
 2-4     and compassion, and although his guidance and devotion have been
 2-5     missed by all who knew him, his spirit has lived on in the hearts
 2-6     and minds of the many individuals whose lives he touched; now,
 2-7     therefore, be it
 2-8           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
 2-9     Legislature hereby honor the memory of John Coble "Red" Richards
2-10     and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family:  to his
2-11     daughters and sons-in-law, Jill and Arthur Lang and Lynn and Lester
2-12     Wallace; to his son and daughter-in-law, Jack and Sharion Richards;
2-13     to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and to the many other
2-14     relatives and friends of this esteemed gentleman; and, be it
2-15     further
2-16           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-17     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
2-18     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
2-19     John Coble "Red" Richards.