H.R. No. 1406

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Brazoria County Veterans Service Officer John Elwood Jerabeck of Angleton passed away on December 12, 2011, at the age of 64, bringing a great loss to his family, friends, and fellow citizens; and

WHEREAS, The son of Lieutenant Colonel J. Roland Jerabeck and Alice Beckman Jerabeck, John Jerabeck was born in Houston on July 23, 1947; he graduated from Memorial High School and enlisted in the United States Army in 1969; during the Vietnam War, he served as a tank commander in the Americal 23rd Infantry Division; and

WHEREAS, This proud combat veteran went on to earn his bachelor's degree in economics and business administration from the University of St. Thomas; for many years, he worked in the energy industry for a number of oil field-related companies, among them Cameron Iron Works; and

WHEREAS, Committed to improving the lives of others who had served their country, Mr. Jerabeck became Veterans Service Officer for Brazoria County in 1997; he collaborated closely with the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center as a member of its Veterans Satisfaction Committee and Management Advisory Council to ensure that area Texans who had served their country received the best possible care, and he was instrumental in bringing the VA Medical Clinic to Brazoria County; moreover, he played a key role in the establishment of an annual, countywide Veterans Day parade and celebration; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Jerabeck further distinguished himself as regional director of the Veterans County Service Officer Association, and he was deeply involved in the development of the Ring of Honor memorial, chairing the committee in charge of the effort from its first meeting in early 2007; in addition, he was active in the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans Association, and Americal 23rd Division Association, and he benefited the wider community as a member of the Knights of Columbus; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Jerabeck was named the 2000 Outstanding Veterans Service Officer of the Year by the Veterans Service Officer Association of Texas; he was also the recipient of numerous other awards, including the Citation for Meritorious Service from the American Legion National Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Commission, the County Service Officer Annual Appreciation Award from the Texas Veterans Commission, and the Legion of Honor Award from the Chapel of Four Chaplains; and

WHEREAS, A devoted family man, Mr. Jerabeck shared 28 years of marriage with his wife, Suzanne, and he was the proud father of two children, Jessica and Joseph; in his leisure time, he enjoyed riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle and relaxing at the beach in his recreational vehicle; he found inspiration in the poem "Desiderata" and had it printed on business cards to give to people he met; and

WHEREAS, John Jerabeck dedicated his life to meaningful service in behalf of his fellow veterans, and those who were privileged to know him will long remember the way he touched their lives with his kindness, optimism, and humility; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of John Elwood Jerabeck and extend sincere condolences to his loved ones; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of John Elwood Jerabeck.

Bonnen of Brazoria

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 1406 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on April 24, 2013.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House