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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Family, friends, and colleagues will forever |
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treasure their memories of retired Lubbock firefighter Jay Wesley |
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Watson, who passed away on July 8, 2017, at the age of 54; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in Lubbock on September 8, 1962, Jay Watson was |
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the son of K. Dencil and Kathryn Watson; a standout athlete at |
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Frenship High School, he went on to study at Texas Tech University, |
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and he remained a loyal supporter of his college alma mater |
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throughout his life; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1982, Mr. Watson was joined in matrimony to his |
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childhood sweetheart, Jana, and they went on to share a rewarding |
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marriage that spanned three and a half decades; over the years, |
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their family grew to include two daughters, Kristen and Meagan, and |
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three grandchildren, Carter, Tinsley, and Wesley; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Watson began his career with Lubbock Fire Rescue |
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in 1987; passionate about his work, he belonged to several local, |
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state, and international firefighter organizations, and he played a |
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key role in the department's Fill the Boot and Operation Warm: Coats |
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for Kids initiatives; and |
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WHEREAS, This accomplished professional served the Lubbock |
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community with distinction for nearly three decades until, in 2015, |
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a cancer diagnosis forced him to retire from the job he loved; |
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although he was initially given less than a year to live, he |
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survived well beyond that prediction, and he found great strength |
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and inspiration in his faith, in the support and affection of his |
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family, and in the camaraderie of the many friends and fellow first |
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responders who rallied around him; and |
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WHEREAS, Jay Watson was a devoted family man and a dedicated |
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firefighter, and although his life ended far too soon, he leaves |
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behind a record of service that his loved ones can remember with |
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pride; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory |
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of Jay Wesley Watson and extend heartfelt condolences to the |
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members of his family: to his wife, Jana Watson; to his children, |
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Kristen Andrus and her husband, David, and Meagan Watson; to his |
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grandchildren, Carter, Tinsley, and Wesley Andrus; to his |
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stepfather, Tommy Evans; to his brothers, Jimmy Watson and Mack |
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Evans, and his stepsister, Mickie Prado; and to his other relatives |
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and 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 Jay Watson. |