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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The death of Dallas gospel radio legend Joe Bagby on |
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May 8, 2009, at the age of 70, has deeply saddened his loved ones and |
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his many devoted listeners; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in Dallas on June 30, 1938, Edward Joe Bagby, |
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Sr., was the son of Obie and Emma Bagby; he graduated from Lincoln |
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High School and attended the University of North Texas and Bishop |
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College, serving in the Air Force ROTC during his college years; |
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returning to Lincoln High as a teacher, he served as a source of |
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kindness and encouragement to many young people, and in 1978 he |
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established the Glendale Learning Center, where he retired as |
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director of operations in March 2007; and |
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WHEREAS, This industrious Texan also worked for Sears, |
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Roebuck and Company, Parkland Hospital, and Dallas County |
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Commissioners Office Precinct 4; in 1988, he was elected to the |
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first of three terms as Dallas County constable for Precinct 8, and |
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while enforcing the law he demonstrated great compassion toward |
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those in unfortunate circumstances; and |
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WHEREAS, For more than a half-century, Mr. Bagby hosted a |
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morning gospel show, and although he modestly described it as his |
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hobby, he became enormously influential on the national level |
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through his ability to recognize talent and spot a hit record, and |
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he met such legends as Mahalia Jackson and Sam Cooke in the course |
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of his illustrious career; moreover, "Brother Joe" became a guiding |
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light to countless listeners; he began and ended each program with a |
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prayer and dispensed spiritual advice and moral support along with |
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uplifting musical selections; his delightful sense of humor helped |
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members of the KHVN "Heaven 97" audience start their day on a joyful |
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note, and he found ways to assist callers in need and was a mentor to |
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others in the radio industry; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Bagby was a valued member of Cedar Crest Church |
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of Christ, and in all his endeavors he enjoyed the love and support |
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of his soul mate and wife of 38 years, Falaine Bagby, and of his |
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children; and |
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WHEREAS, A gifted broadcaster with a true devotion to gospel |
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music, Joe Bagby continued to share his wisdom and faith over the |
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airwaves even as his health declined, and he signed off for the last |
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time less than 24 hours before his passing; although his voice will |
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be missed, the inspiration he provided will linger in the hearts of |
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the many people whose lives he touched; 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 Edward Joe Bagby, Sr., |
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and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his |
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wife, Falaine Bagby; to his daughters, Dunita Harris and her |
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husband, Preston, April Bailey and her husband, Deion, Yolanda |
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Crosby, and Tonya Williams; to his sons, DeWayne Joubert, Keith |
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Smith, and Joe Bagby, Jr., and his wife, Nicole; to his 25 |
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grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; to his sister, Miranda |
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Holland, and her husband, Tommy; to his brother, Vanda Bagby, and |
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his wife, Nancy; to his mother-in-law, Jenell London; and to his |
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other relatives and many friends and admirers; 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 Edward Joe |
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Bagby, Sr. |