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.