84R4472 KSM-D

By: Sheffield H.R. No. 126

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The State of Texas lost a rodeo legend with the passing of G. K. Lewallen of Stephenville on December 10, 2014, at the age of 95; and

WHEREAS, Born on January 14, 1919, and raised in Blackwell, Mr. Lewallen began competing in rodeos during his youth and joined the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in 1937; riding in rough stock events, he performed in arenas around the country, suffering broken bones and numerous other serious injuries while proving his exceptional courage and ability; and

WHEREAS, Undaunted by the dangers of rodeo life, Mr. Lewallen claimed numerous championship titles, and in 1945 he took first place in bull riding at the World Champion Rodeo, held at Madison Square Garden in New York City; his victory earned him a hand-tooled leather saddle that was one of the most prized mementos from his outstanding career; and

WHEREAS, In 1944, Mr. Lewallen married the former Ethel Spanier, whom he met while she was working as a member of the Rockettes dance company in New York, and the couple ultimately became the parents of three children, Nolan, Cindra, and Tula; they moved to Stephenville after Mr. Lewallen retired from the rodeo arena in 1956 and soon opened a western store, the Grand Entry; the business grew out of an enterprise Mr. Lewallen had begun during his time as a competitor, when he would sell hats, boots, and other merchandise to fans attending the rodeos; and

WHEREAS, This determined Texan became a prominent figure in the local community, and he helped shape Stephenville's image as the self-proclaimed Cowboy Capital of the World; he was an original member of the Erath County Livestock Association board of directors and a member of the Stephenville Chamber of Commerce board; in addition, he was a founding director of InterBank, and the financial institution's Bluff Dale branch was dedicated in his honor; and

WHEREAS, In recent decades, Mr. Lewallen earned a number of prestigious accolades; in addition to becoming a member of the Stephenville Cowboy Capital Walk of Fame, he was inducted into the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in 1997; after Ethel Lewallen passed away in 1988, he was fortunate to find love again and married the former Nita Brooks; they shared a rewarding marriage that spanned nearly a quarter century before his death; and

WHEREAS, G. K. Lewallen was a true cowboy, a hardworking gentleman who accomplished much but also remained humble and thankful, and his contributions to the Stephenville community and to the sport of rodeo will continue to be appreciated for years to come; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature pay tribute to the memory of G. K. Lewallen and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his wife, Nita; to his children, Nolan Lewallen, Cindra Elms and her husband, Chick, and Tula Vassel and her husband, Robert; to his stepchildren, Louis Brooks and his wife, Charlotte, and Leigh Odom and her husband, Doug; to his grandchildren, Chad Elms and his wife, Stephanie, Chayla Horan and her husband, Ken, Clint Elms, Conner Elms and his wife, Caitlin, Garett Vassel, Aaron Lewallen and his wife, Stacey, Noelle Lewallen, Seth Lewallen, and Lauren Penner and her husband, Alex; to his step-grandchildren, Lorie Lawrence and her husband, Charles Ralph, Shasta Brooks and her husband, Scott Zogbaum, Boyd Brooks, and Brooks Lawrence and his wife, Christe; to his 11 great-grandchildren; and to his other relatives and many friends; and, be it further

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