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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Residents of Pasadena lost their most enthusiastic |
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sports fan with the passing of Walter Woodard on February 13, 2009, |
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at the age of 62; and |
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WHEREAS, Born to Jack and Lucy Woodard on November 30, 1946, |
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Walter Woodard went on to enroll in Pasadena public schools in 1958; |
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he attended San Jacinto Intermediate School and Pasadena High |
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School, and he graduated from Sam Rayburn High School in 1966; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Woodard became involved in Pasadena's local |
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sports scene when he served as the honorary coach of the 1973 Colt |
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League All-Star baseball team, which made it to the world |
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championship that year, and after that experience, he rarely missed |
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another game; an ardent supporter of local teams and a variety of |
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sports, Mr. Woodard could often be spotted on the sidelines at |
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baseball fields, high school gyms, and stadiums, shouting out calls |
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and reminding the players to tuck in their shirttails; he also |
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helped coaches decide what plays to use, and he traveled and |
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celebrated wins with many teams; his passion for sports made him an |
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icon in Pasadena, and he was highly regarded by generations of |
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athletes, coaches, and spectators for his loyalty and for making |
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sure everyone in the stands was involved and enjoying themselves at |
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all the sporting events; and |
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WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan was also known for his work with |
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the Muscular Dystrophy Association and for his participation in |
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city food drives and various community service organizations; Mr. |
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Woodard's unwavering support of local youth programs was recognized |
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by the City of Pasadena and the Pasadena Independent School |
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District in 2008, when he was named Pasadena Coach of the Year; in |
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addition, the mayor proclaimed Walter Woodard Day and renamed a |
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charity event, the Walter Woodard Toys for Tots Softball |
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Tournament, in his honor, and this spring, the Little League and |
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Pony teams will wear his initials on their sleeves; and |
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WHEREAS, A beloved citizen of Pasadena, Walter Woodard |
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touched the lives of countless area residents, and he leaves behind |
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a legacy that will forever be treasured by all those who were |
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fortunate enough to know him; 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 memory of Walter Woodard and |
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extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his |
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brother, Vic Woodard, and his wife, Claudett; to his nephew, Jeff |
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Pickle, and his wife, Tiffany; to his niece, Lori Barkley, and her |
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husband, John; to his great-nieces, Jenna, Averi, and Reagan; to |
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his great-nephew, Nolan; and to his other relatives and many |
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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 Walter |
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Woodard. |