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.