By: Duncan S.C.R. No. 36 99S0237/1 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 2-1 WHEREAS, This concern for other people led Big Ed to be a 2-2 driving force behind the establishment of the Texas Boys Ranch; and 2-3 WHEREAS, Following a rumor about a man who was supposed to be 2-4 funny, Big Ed taped an interview for his show of anecdotes held 2-5 forth by a chemical salesman who was passing through Lubbock 2-6 selling chemicals to feedlot owners; the result was that Big Ed 2-7 became the coproducer of Jerry Clower's first five albums and that 2-8 the agricultural chemical salesman went on to 28 years as a 2-9 comedian, with 26 comedy albums and a following at the Grand Ol' 2-10 Opry; and 2-11 WHEREAS, Texas Tech University's College of Agricultural 2-12 Sciences honored Big Ed by presenting him with the Outstanding 2-13 Agriculturalist Award in 1985, and in 1987 the Texas Tech 2-14 Ex-Students Association presented him with the Distinguished 2-15 Service Award; and 2-16 WHEREAS, Big Ed's affiliations were with the Oakwood Baptist 2-17 Church, the Southwest Rotary Club, the Texas Tech Ex-Students 2-18 Association, the Texas Tech Ranching Heritage Association, and the 2-19 National Association of Farm Broadcasters; and 2-20 WHEREAS, Marsha Dowdy Wilkes was the love of Big Ed's life, 2-21 and the couple was married for 36 years; their children are Kari 2-22 Ann Hastings, Wade Wilkes, and Wes Wilkes; and 2-23 WHEREAS, Ed Wilkes was a devoted husband and father, and he 2-24 leaves behind memories that will be treasured forever by his family 2-25 and friends; now, therefore, be it 3-1 RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas 3-2 hereby extend sincere condolences to the family of Ed Wilkes: his 3-3 wife, Marsha; his daughter, Kari Ann Hastings; and his sons, Wade 3-4 and Wes Wilkes; and, be it further 3-5 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared for the 3-6 members of his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the 3-7 Texas Legislature, and that when the Legislature adjourns this day, 3-8 it do so in memory of Ed Wilkes.