H.R. No. 1237

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The life of an admired coach and educator drew to a close with the passing of Richard P. Sheffield of Jacksonville on March 17, 2009, at the age of 84; and

WHEREAS, Born on May 17, 1924, in the community of Blox in Jasper County, Dick Sheffield lettered in four sports at Kirbyville High School and went on to play football and basketball at Lamar Junior College; his studies were interrupted by service in the Pacific Theater of World War II as a member of the U.S. Navy, but he returned to Lamar in 1946 and then went on to be an outstanding football player at Tulane University, earning invitations to the Blue-Gray and Senior Bowl all-star games; and

WHEREAS, Following his graduation from Tulane, Mr. Sheffield entered the coaching ranks at Beaumont High School, ultimately becoming the team's head coach and winning a district championship in 1956; two years later, he became assistant coach at Jacksonville High School under Bum Phillips, Mr. Sheffield's former college teammate; when Coach Phillips departed in 1959, Mr. Sheffield became the Indians' head coach, beginning a 12-year tenure that made him a well-known figure among football enthusiasts in East Texas; and

WHEREAS, His Jacksonville High teams distinguished themselves with their fierce competitiveness and frequently battled for the district crown; in 1960 and 1962, he took his team to the semifinal round in the state playoffs, and in 1970, his final season on the Jacksonville sidelines, the Indians reached the quarterfinals; on-field wins were only one measure of Coach Sheffield's success, however; he was also renowned for his ability to mold young athletes into responsible adults who came to understand the value of hard work and perseverance, and he remained a valued mentor for many of his players long after their high school days had ended; highly respected in the Jacksonville community, he was named the city's Man of the Year in 1960 and 1970; and

WHEREAS, After concluding his service at Jacksonville High, he returned to coaching in 1979 with the eighth-grade team in Henderson, and he also garnered an Outstanding Teacher of the Year award in 1984 for his work with Henderson students; Coach Sheffield was a member of the board of directors for the Texas High School Coaches Association and was inducted into that organization's Balfour Hall of Honor in 1987; he was also an active member of Central Baptist Church in Jacksonville for 51 years; and

WHEREAS, Dick Sheffield leaves behind a legacy of leadership, dedication, and concern for others, and memories of his words and actions will continue to inspire his loved ones and the many individuals he coached and taught through the years; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Richard P. Sheffield and extend deepest condolences to the members of his family: to his wife of 58 years, Betty Braden Sheffield; to his son, Richard Braden Sheffield; to his daughter, Suzanne Sheffield; to his grandchildren, Sara Dell'Omo and her husband, Tom, Richard Sheffield and his wife, Crystal, and Stephen Sheffield; to his great-grandson, Leo Dell'Omo; to his daughter-in-law, Mariagrazia Sheffield; and to his other relatives and 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 Richard P. Sheffield.

Hopson

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 1237 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on April 16, 2009.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House