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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Memories of a life filled with joyful times and |
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meaningful accomplishments remain to comfort the family and friends |
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of Dr. Kenneth John Diehm of Grapevine, who passed away on February |
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19, 2011, at the age of 52; and |
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WHEREAS, A native of Oklahoma City, Ken Diehm was born on |
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March 1, 1958, to Floyd and Emily Diehm; he graduated from |
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California State University Long Beach in 1980 and went on to earn |
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his master's degree from Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian |
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University and his doctoral degree from Asbury Theological Seminary |
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in Kentucky; this esteemed clergyman led churches in Bixby, |
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Oklahoma, as well as in Burleson and Cisco, and he served as pastor |
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of St. Andrew's United Methodist in Arlington for 15 years; and |
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WHEREAS, In 2005, Dr. Diehm joined First United Methodist |
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Church of Grapevine; under his guidance, membership increased to |
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2,600 congregants, and the church grew to include a second campus |
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and a Spanish-language service; moreover, he worked to provide |
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outreach to people in need, establishing programs to alleviate |
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poverty, to offer food and tutoring to schoolchildren, and to |
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assist residents of villages in Costa Rica and Kenya; and |
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WHEREAS, Dr. Diehm was also an active member of the Grapevine |
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community, and he shared his time with the local high school and |
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Rotary Club and the board of Grapevine Relief and Community |
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Exchange; in addition, he held such leadership roles as ordained |
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elder in the Central Texas Conference of the United Methodist |
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Church and chair of the conference board of pensions and health |
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benefits; and |
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WHEREAS, Ken Diehm shared many happy years with his wife, |
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Kenda Diehm, and he was devoted to their two children, Kallye and |
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Kody, and their grandson, Julius; in his free time, Dr. Diehm |
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enjoyed bicycling and sports; and |
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WHEREAS, Through his strong faith, his generosity, and his |
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concern for others, Ken Diehm made a positive difference in |
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countless lives, and he leaves behind a legacy that will forever be |
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treasured by all those whose lives he touched; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of the Reverend Dr. |
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Kenneth John Diehm and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his |
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family: to his wife, Kenda Diehm; to his children, Kallye Johnson |
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and her husband, Joshua, and Kody Diehm; to his grandson, Julius |
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Johnson; to his mother, Emily Diehm; to his sister, Jan Gravenor, |
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and her husband, Ken; and to his other relatives and many friends; |
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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 Dr. Ken |
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Diehm. |