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78S10413 MW-D

By:  Rose                                                         H.R. No. 37 



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The family and friends of Jerome "Jack" Curtis Cates 
of San Marcos were deeply saddened by the passing of this 
distinguished educator and administrator on March 29, 2003, at the 
age of 91; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Cates was born on August 15, 1911, in Menard; he 
graduated from Robstown High School in 1930 and studied business 
administration at Texas College of Arts and Industries in 
Kingsville; he earned his bachelor of arts degree with honors and 
his master of business administration degree at The University of 
Texas at Austin; and
	WHEREAS, While living in Beeville for 15 years, Mr. Cates 
worked as a teacher, high school principal, and superintendent of 
the Beeville public schools; in 1950, he moved to San Marcos and 
became business administrator and associate professor at Southwest 
Texas State University; later, he served in the positions of 
professor of business administration, chief fiscal officer, vice 
president of fiscal affairs, and interim president of the 
university; after a distinguished 25-year tenure with the 
university, Mr. Cates retired in 1975; and
	WHEREAS, This esteemed gentleman continued to benefit SWTSU 
in numerous ways after his retirement; a charter member of the board 
of trustees of SWT University Foundation, Mr. Cates belonged to the 
SWTSU Alumni Association, the Century Club, and the Bobcat Club; 
and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Cates was a charter member and president of the 
Texas Association of State Senior Colleges and University Business 
Officers and a district officer of the Texas State Teachers 
Association; in addition, he served as  president of the San Marcos 
Association of Retired Teachers; and
	WHEREAS, Also an active civic leader, Mr. Cates was president 
of the chamber of commerce in Beeville and San Marcos as well as 
club president and lieutenant governor of the Texas-Oklahoma 
District of Kiwanis International; furthermore, he served as 
director of the Schieb Clinic and as community director of Norwest 
Bank; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Cates married his first wife, Lucile Wynn, in 
1932, and they shared a special union, which was blessed with two 
children, before her death in 1978; in 1981, he was fortunate to 
have found happiness a second time with his marriage to Mildred 
Mitchell, with whom he shared many happy times for 22 years; and
	WHEREAS, A valued member of his community and member of the 
First Baptist Church in San Marcos, Mr. Cates will not soon be 
forgotten; his spirit will continue to live through his legacy of 
good works, and his memory is enshrined in the hearts of those 
individuals fortunate enough to have known him; now, therefore, be 
it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay special tribute to the 
life of Jerome "Jack" Curtis Cates and extend deepest sympathies to 
the members of his family:  to his wife, Mildred Mitchell; to his 
two children and their spouses, Jerome Curtis Cates, Jr., and 
Kathleen Cates, and Kay Carolyn and Weldon Hudson; to his 
grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and to his other relatives 
and many friends; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of 
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Jerome 
"Jack" Curtis Cates.