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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Friends and family are mourning the loss of |
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W. A. Orton, Jr., of Baytown, who died on October 25, 2012, at the |
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age of 86; and |
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WHEREAS, "Skeeter" Orton was born on March 1, 1926, in |
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Baytown, and his keen interest in sports was evident from an early |
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age, when he became a bat boy for a local semipro baseball team; he |
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played football at Robert E. Lee High School and Stephen F. Austin |
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State University, and went on to earn his bachelor's degree in |
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government and physical education at Sam Houston State University, |
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where he presided over the Baytown Club; during his service in the |
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U.S. Army, Mr. Orton joined a military football team that won the |
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European championship in Germany; and |
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WHEREAS, Following his discharge, he went to work for the |
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Humble Oil and Refining Company, later known as Exxon; he retired in |
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1986; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Orton's passion for athletics continued through |
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his involvement in youth sports, and he mentored hundreds of boys |
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while coaching baseball, football, and basketball; he dedicated |
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many long hours to giving instruction on the finer points of games, |
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and with his kindness, patience, and calm demeanor, he taught |
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lessons that went far beyond sports; he was honored for his work |
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with the Baytown Community Service Award and the Optimist Youth |
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Club Award; and |
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WHEREAS, Throughout his life, Mr. Orton was deeply engaged in |
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his community; he was a charter member of the Bay Area Heritage |
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Society and held a place on the inaugural board of directors of the |
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Baytown YMCA; he served as an assistant scoutmaster and worked with |
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the East Harris District Scout Board and the Sam Houston Area |
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Council; in addition, he was a valued member of the board of |
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directors of the Hill Country ExxonMobil Retirees Club; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Orton also took great pleasure in attending |
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sports events, and he was such a well-known fan in Fredericksburg |
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that he received a Spirit Stick citation from the high school |
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cheerleaders and was asked to throw out the first pitch at several |
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baseball contests; other pastimes he enjoyed included listening to |
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music, going to movies, reading, and studying history; and |
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WHEREAS, For nearly six decades, he enjoyed the love and |
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support of his wife, the former Wanda Jones, whom he met when they |
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acted together in a play at Lee College; married in 1954, the couple |
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were blessed with a daughter, Jan, and their family later grew to |
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include a granddaughter, Olivia, and a grandson, Scott; and |
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WHEREAS, A beloved mentor known for his optimism and an |
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infectious smile, Skeeter Orton was a positive influence in the |
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lives of countless young people, and he leaves behind a legacy that |
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will resonate in the community for years to come; now, therefore, be |
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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 life of W. A. Orton, Jr., and |
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extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his |
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wife, Wanda Orton; to his daughter, Jan McGowen; to his |
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grandchildren, Olivia and Scott McGowen; and to his other relatives |
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and many 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 Skeeter |
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Orton. |