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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The residents of New Braunfels lost a devoted |
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community leader with the passing of Gheral Thomas Purdum on |
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October 8, 2008, at the age of 80; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in San Antonio on April 18, 1928, to J. L. and |
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Imogene Purdum, Tom Purdum graduated early from Brackenridge High |
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School and joined the U.S. Marine Corps on his 17th birthday; he |
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served in Guam and in Washington, D.C., as a member of the Silent |
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Drill Platoon; and |
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WHEREAS, His career in civic service began with the San |
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Antonio Jaycees; he joined the group while attending Trinity |
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University and working at Smith Motors, and he was the |
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organization's president in 1956 and 1957; Mr. Purdum went on to |
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serve in the Uvalde Chamber of Commerce for three years before being |
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hired as chamber of commerce manager in New Braunfels, where he was |
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instrumental in the creation and promotion of Wurstfest, the city's |
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renowned annual festival; his exceptional work with the |
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organization led to his promotion to executive director, and he |
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held that title for 25 years; and |
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WHEREAS, This dedicated Texan held a number of important |
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posts with local and regional organizations; he served as president |
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of the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives, the New Braunfels |
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Rotary Club, and the Comal County Community Fund, as vice-chair of |
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the New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation and as public |
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affairs director and director of customer services for the Lower |
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Colorado River Authority; in addition, he was a charter board |
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member of the Greater Austin-San Antonio Corridor Council, a |
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founding member of the Institute of Texan Cultures in San Antonio, |
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and president of the Hummel Museum and Art Gallery in New Braunfels; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Purdum received numerous accolades for his |
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achievements, including the Besserung Award as citizen of the year |
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for New Braunfels, selection as Grosse Opa for Wurstfest 2000, the |
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Marvin Hurley Award from the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives, |
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and one of only eight honorary life memberships in the Texas |
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Economic Development Council; moreover, he was one of the first |
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three individuals given the title of Living Legend of New |
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Braunfels, and he received an honorary Texan of the Year award from |
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the Texas Legislative Conference; and |
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WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Mr. Purdum enjoyed the love |
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and support of his wife, Bobbie, and their family; and |
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WHEREAS, Tom Purdum will be greatly missed by all who knew |
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him, but his admirable dedication and the many contributions he |
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made to his community will long remain an inspiration to residents |
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of the city he loved so well; now, therefore, be 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 Gheral Thomas Purdum |
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and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his |
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wife, Bobbie Purdum; to his children, Sande Herbelin, Candy Sober, |
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Sue Brown, Hal Herbelin, Tommy Purdum, Brad Herbelin, Martha |
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Bellamy, and Mike Purdum; to his brother, Jack Purdum; to his |
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grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and to his other relatives |
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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 Tom Purdum. |