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79R4920 JNC-D

By:  Crownover                                                    H.R. No. 501



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, After nearly four decades of sharing their life with 
one another, Troy and Sarah LaGrone both departed this world in 
2004, leaving behind a legacy of achievement to be treasured by all 
who were privileged to know these esteemed Denton civic leaders; 
and
	WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. LaGrone began their journey together 
when they married in 1967; he, a fifth-generation Texan, was born 
and raised in Deadwood, graduated from Carthage High School, and 
attended Braughon's Business College in Dallas; she, a native of 
Wills Point, earned her bachelor's degree from Southern Methodist 
University; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. LaGrone began his extraordinary career with Ben 
E. Keith Co. as an entry–level clerk; his determination and skill 
enabled him to rise through the ranks, and he eventually became 
president of the company; under his leadership, the business became 
the largest Anheuser-Busch distributor in the nation before his 
retirement in 2000; and
	WHEREAS, Mrs. LaGrone took an avid interest in and made a 
personal commitment to community affairs; she lent her time and 
talents to the Denton Benefit League, Arts Guild, and Keep Denton 
Beautiful, and she also served on the city's Parks and Recreation 
Board; her concern for those less fortunate was evident from her 
active involvement on the board of Interfaith Ministries, a Denton 
group that provides assistance to families in need; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. LaGrone expressed his civic spirit through his 
participation in the Fort Worth Symphony, the Texas Girls Choir, 
the Longhorn Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and North Texas 
Public Broadcasting; in addition, he embraced the importance of 
higher education, organizing the President's Fellows of the 
University of North Texas and chairing the UNT President's Council; 
he was also a member of the board of directors of the UNT Foundation 
and of the President's Council of Texas Woman's University; and
	WHEREAS, Together, these respected community leaders 
generously affirmed their support for public education by endowing 
two grants to teachers at Denton schools; and
	WHEREAS, Patrons of the Denton Arts and Jazz Festival since 
its inception in 1990, they received the Community Arts Recognition 
Award from the Greater Denton Arts Council in honor of their 
significant contributions to the city's cultural life; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. LaGrone also valued their Christian 
faith and were faithful members of the First United Methodist 
Church in Denton, where they worshiped for more than two decades; 
and
	WHEREAS, Throughout their lives, Troy and Sarah LaGrone were 
known for their thoughtful and caring natures, their generous 
spirits, and their warm and friendly smiles; remembered with great 
affection by countless North Texans, they will live on in the hearts 
of the many people whose lives they touched; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Troy and Sarah 
LaGrone and extend deepest sympathy to the members of their family: 
to their sons, Robert Strawn and James Strawn and his wife, Ava; to 
their daughter, Joanna Lea LaGrone-Headrick and her husband, Jason; 
to their grandchildren, Allen and Steven Strawn and Tasha and Scott 
Orr; to their great-grandson, Ethan Jackson; and to all who mourn 
the passing of this cherished couple; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the members of their family and that when the Texas 
House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 
Troy and Sarah LaGrone.