79S20691 JTR-D



By:  Goolsby                                                      H.R. No. 235







R E S O L U T I O N

	WHEREAS, With the passing of Gary Thomas West on August 12, 

2005, at the age of 54, the Dallas area has lost an able 

businessman, a loving family man, and a valued member of the 

community, and we join his family in mourning their loss; and

	WHEREAS, A native of Dallas, Mr. West attended Hillcrest High 

School before going on to earn a degree in commercial insurance from 

the University of North Texas; and

	WHEREAS, On his graduation from college, he moved to Atlanta 

to work at Alexander & Alexander, Inc.; it was there that he met his 

wife, Mary Alice, and their relationship continued to grow in 

mutual admiration and respect until his passing; and

	WHEREAS, On returning to Dallas, Mr. West went to work with 

Richard L. Jarrett, Sr., Inc.; in 1982 he joined the Green, Martin &

Miles agency as a partner, and three years later its name was 

changed to Miles & West, Inc.; and

	WHEREAS, In 1998 Miles & West was purchased in partnership 

with Benchmark Bank, and Mr. West served as a vice president of the 

bank, overseeing its insurance operations; and

	WHEREAS, April 2001 marked another milestone in Mr. West's 

career as the partnership was renamed TexasBancPartners Insurance 

Agency, LLC, and he was selected as its president, a position he 

held until his passing; and

	WHEREAS, In 1990 Mr. West was honored as Chairman of the Year 

by the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas, and from 1991 to 1992 

he served as president of the Independent Insurance Agents of 

Dallas; and

	WHEREAS, A former president of the AMS User Group, he also 

served on its board of directors and executive committee and 

chaired its national conference, and in 2002 he was presented with 

the organization's Louis E. Woodbury, Jr., leadership award; and

	WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Mr. West drew strength from 

his beloved wife and their two cherished sons, Mark and Scott, and 

their regular Sunday night dinners and the companionship of his 

"best friend," Charlie, were among his greatest pleasures; and

	WHEREAS, Although saddened by his passing, Mr. West's family 

and friends may take comfort from the fact that his was truly a life 

well lived, and his irreplaceable spirit will continue to shine 

brightly in the hearts of all those fortunate enough to have known 

him; now, therefore, be it

	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 

Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of 

Gary Thomas West and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his 

family: to his wife, Mary Alice; to his sons, Mark and Scott; to his 

brothers and sisters-in-law, Chris and Joann West and Larry and Liz 

West; to his mother, Betty; to his cousins, Jerry, Jimmy, and Judy 

Ward; to his many nieces and nephews; and to his other family 

members 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 Gary Thomas 

West.