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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Residents of Kerrville lost a beloved neighbor and |
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community leader with the death of Dr. Gene Atkinson on October 18, |
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2008, at the age of 83; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in Houston on June 20, 1925, Gene Atkinson was |
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the son of Smith and Nellie Atkinson and enjoyed the companionship |
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of three sisters, Donna, Ruth, and Beverly; he graduated from Milby |
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High School and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in physics from |
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Rice University, followed by master's and doctoral degrees in |
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education from the University of Houston; and |
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WHEREAS, Dr. Atkinson began his notable career in education |
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as an associate dean of instruction and professor of physical |
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science at California State College at Long Beach; returning to his |
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hometown, he joined the faculty of the University of Houston, where |
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he served as associate dean of the College of Education, assistant |
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dean of faculties, and dean of faculties; Dr. Atkinson chaired the |
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college's Department of Administration and Supervision and |
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directed the Center for International Education; a mentor to |
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faculty and students alike, he traveled globally to establish |
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university programs in France, Brazil, and Mexico, and served on |
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various panels that research and accredit university programs |
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throughout Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, After the death of his first wife, Claudene Douglas |
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Atkinson, Gene Atkinson was fortunate to find love a second time; he |
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married Vivian Shaw, and with her enjoyed a fulfilling relationship |
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that was further enriched with the love and affection of their |
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children and grandchildren; and |
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WHEREAS, Dr. Atkinson was a veteran of World War II and the |
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Korean War who retired from the U.S. Naval Reserve with the rank of |
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commander; in retirement, he was elected to several terms as a |
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trustee with the Ingram Independent School District, took an active |
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role at the First United Methodist Church of Kerrville, and devoted |
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some of his leisure time to his interest in amateur radio; and |
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WHEREAS, Gene Atkinson leaves behind a legacy of immense |
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contributions to his community and beyond, and those who were |
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fortunate enough to share in the richness of his life will forever |
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treasure their memories of this esteemed Texan; now, therefore, be |
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it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Dr. Gene Atkinson and |
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extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, |
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Vivian Shaw Atkinson; to his son, Mark Douglas Atkinson, and his |
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wife, Vicki; to his grandsons, Richard Evans Bowen, Jacob Austin |
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Bowen, Joshua Earl Bowen, and Samuel Douglas Atkinson; to his |
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sisters, Ruth Atkinson Vetter and Beverly Atkinson Booher and her |
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husband, Cletis Booher; to his stepchildren, Glenna Shaw Garcia and |
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her husband, Edmundo, Suzanne Claire Hamilton and her husband, |
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Allen, and Stuart Dunlop Shaw and his wife, Kimi; and to his other |
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relatives and friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Gene |
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Atkinson. |