By Gallego H.C.R. No. 37 77R175 MDM-D HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of John G. Prude of Fort Davis on 1-2 February 24, 2000, at the age of 95, has brought a great loss to 1-3 the family and many friends of this beloved Texan; and 1-4 WHEREAS, He was born on February 27, 1904, on the Prude 1-5 Ranch, a working and resort ranch in Fort Davis that was 1-6 established by his parents, Andrew and Ora Prude, in the late 1-7 1890s; the 28,000-acre ranch, which was declared a Texas historical 1-8 site three years ago, began hosting guests in 1921 and now serves 1-9 more than 20,000 visitors each year; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Affectionately known as "Big Spurs," Mr. Prude was a 1-11 member of the first football team fielded by Alpine's Sul Ross 1-12 State University and a charter inductee into the Sul Ross Athletic 1-13 Hall of Honor; a multitalented native son of the Lone Star State, 1-14 he was well known in West Texas as a singer of colorful ballads, 1-15 and a number of his songs have been recorded in the Library of 1-16 Congress; and 1-17 WHEREAS, Mr. Prude was an outstanding teacher, coach, 1-18 principal, and superintendent of schools during his lifetime who 1-19 shared his passion for teaching first with students in the public 1-20 schools of West Texas and later with young men and women at Sul 1-21 Ross State University, where he taught for two decades; and 1-22 WHEREAS, A devoted family man as well, Mr. Prude enjoyed an 1-23 exceptionally happy and rewarding marriage with his wife, Evelyn, 1-24 until her passing; they were the proud parents of two children, and 2-1 through the years Mr. Prude took great pleasure in welcoming 8 2-2 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren into his close-knit 2-3 family; and 2-4 WHEREAS, An active member of the Del Rio community for many 2-5 years, this fine gentlemen donated the Paul Poag Theatre to the 2-6 city as a cultural arts center; Mr. Prude's civic involvement also 2-7 included lifetime perfect attendance at Bloy's Encampment meetings 2-8 in Fort Davis and 51 years with Rotary International; and 2-9 WHEREAS, Those who were privileged to share the friendship of 2-10 John Prude will long miss his presence, and he will surely be 2-11 remembered with great affection and admiration for many years to 2-12 come; now, therefore, be it 2-13 RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-14 hereby honor the memory of John G. Prude and extend sincere 2-15 sympathy to the members of his family: to his son and 2-16 daughter-in-law, John Robert and Betty Prude; to his daughter and 2-17 son-in-law, Ruth Elizabeth and Jack Longbotham; to his 2-18 grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and to the many other 2-19 friends and relatives of this fine man; and, be it further 2-20 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-21 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 2-22 House of Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in 2-23 memory of John G. Prude.