SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1-1 WHEREAS, The Legislature of the State of Texas joins the
1-2 citizens of Lubbock, Texas, in mourning the loss of "Big" Ed
1-3 Wilkes, who died on December 21, 1998, at the age of 67; and
1-4 WHEREAS, Big Ed was a beloved radio personality and local
1-5 treasure of Lubbock, Texas, and the South Plains for over 30 years;
1-6 and
1-7 WHEREAS, Ed Wilkes received his nickname, "Big Ed" from the
1-8 Phi Gamma Delta fraternity at Texas Tech, where he received his
1-9 degree in agricultural economics; and
1-10 WHEREAS, Big Ed's warmth and bighearted, folksy sense of
1-11 humor became part of every household in the Lubbock area through
1-12 his morning farm show on KFYO radio; people listened to his farm
1-13 show, not necessarily to hear about the price of pork bellies or
1-14 other agricultural information, but to hear Big Ed because to hear
1-15 Big Ed was to be reassured that all was right with the world, that
1-16 humor and the good and decent things about the world would always
1-17 overshadow and win out over the ugly, base parts of society; and
1-18 WHEREAS, Big Ed was the farm broadcaster on KFYO radio for 17
1-19 years before buying his own radio station KRFE, which he operated
1-20 for seven years with his own morning talk show that featured news,
1-21 interviews, and most importantly, Big Ed; on his show, everyone was
1-22 entitled to his own opinion and was always treated with dignity;
1-23 and
1-24 WHEREAS, This concern for other people led Big Ed to be a
2-1 driving force behind the establishment of the Texas Boys Ranch; and
2-2 WHEREAS, Following a rumor about a man who was supposed to be
2-3 funny, Big Ed taped an interview for his show of anecdotes held
2-4 forth by a chemical salesman who was passing through Lubbock
2-5 selling chemicals to feedlot owners; the result was that Big Ed
2-6 became the coproducer of Jerry Clower's first five albums and that
2-7 the agricultural chemical salesman went on to 28 years as a
2-8 comedian, with 26 comedy albums and a following at the Grand Ol'
2-9 Opry; and
2-10 WHEREAS, Texas Tech University's College of Agricultural
2-11 Sciences honored Big Ed by presenting him with the Outstanding
2-12 Agriculturalist Award in 1985, and in 1987 the Texas Tech
2-13 Ex-Students Association presented him with the Distinguished
2-14 Service Award; and
2-15 WHEREAS, Big Ed's affiliations were with the Oakwood Baptist
2-16 Church, the Southwest Rotary Club, the Texas Tech Ex-Students
2-17 Association, the Texas Tech Ranching Heritage Association, and the
2-18 National Association of Farm Broadcasters; and
2-19 WHEREAS, Marsha Dowdy Wilkes was the love of Big Ed's life,
2-20 and the couple was married for 36 years; their children are Kari
2-21 Ann Hastings, Wade Wilkes, and Wes Wilkes; and
2-22 WHEREAS, Ed Wilkes was a devoted husband and father, and he
2-23 leaves behind memories that will be treasured forever by his family
2-24 and friends; now, therefore, be it
2-25 RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
2-26 hereby extend sincere condolences to the family of Ed Wilkes: his
3-1 wife, Marsha; his daughter, Kari Ann Hastings; and his sons, Wade
3-2 and Wes Wilkes; and, be it further
3-3 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared for the
3-4 members of his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the
3-5 Texas Legislature, and that when the Legislature adjourns this day,
3-6 it do so in memory of Ed Wilkes.
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 36 was adopted by the Senate
on March 1, 1999.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 36 was adopted by the House
on March 3, 1999.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
_______________________________
Date
_______________________________
Governor