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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The citizens of Sealy lost one of their most admired |
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community leaders with the passing of Joe Burttschell on June 3, |
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2012, at the age of 83; and |
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WHEREAS, Born on February 24, 1929, Joe Burttschell was the |
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son of Walter Anton and Laura Brune Burttschell; he graduated from |
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Sealy High School in 1946 and then attended Tarleton State |
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University before transferring to Texas A&M University, where he |
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earned his bachelor's degree in 1950; that same year, he married the |
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love of his life, Alice Vernell Reichardt, with whom he had four |
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children, Bill, Kathy, Michael, and John; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Burttschell built a 37-year career with |
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ExxonMobil, beginning as a roustabout at the Katy Humble plant and |
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retiring as a supervisor of the East Texas Division; while |
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balancing work and family responsibilities, he participated in the |
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Sealy Lions Club, the Sealy Cemetery Association Board, and the Cat |
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Spring Agricultural Society, and he further distinguished himself |
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through his dedication to the Sealy Little League, which he served |
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as president; he was committed to improving the community's sports |
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facilities, and as a member of the Parks and Recreation Board, he |
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advocated for the creation of a T-ball field that was later named in |
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his honor; and |
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WHEREAS, Among his other civic contributions were serving as |
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a trustee for the Sealy Independent School District, as scholarship |
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chair of the Austin County A&M Club, and as a longtime member of the |
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Sealy Tiger Booster Club, from which he received the "Old Man Award" |
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for his support of local athletics; and |
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WHEREAS, Following his retirement in 1986, Mr. Burttschell |
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continued ranching in Sealy and Cat Spring for many years, and he |
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served as municipal judge for both San Felipe and Sealy; he enjoyed |
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cheering for the Aggies and the Houston Astros, and he also took |
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pleasure in golfing, hunting, and spending time with his loved |
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ones; and |
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WHEREAS, A devoted family man and an engaged citizen, Joe |
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Burttschell is deeply missed, but the humility, optimism, and |
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kindness with which he lived his life will forever inspire all who |
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had the good fortune to know him; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Joe Burttschell and |
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extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, |
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Alice Burttschell; to his sons, Bill Burttschell and his wife, |
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Karen, and John Burttschell; to his daughter, Kathy Gregg, and her |
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husband, Joe; to his eight grandchildren and eight |
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great-grandchildren; 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 the members of his family and that when the Texas House |
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of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Joe |
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Burttschell. |