SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 711
 
 
  In Memory
  of
  Walter Derrick
 
         WHEREAS, The citizens of Gladewater are mourning the loss
  of a beloved public servant, friend, and neighbor with the
  passing of former mayor Walter Derrick on April 1, 2019, at the
  age of 88; and
 
         WHEREAS, Born in Gilmer on April 8, 1930, Walter Derrick
  graduated as valedictorian of Weldon High School in Gladewater;
  he served his country as a member of the United States Army, and
  he later resumed his education and earned bachelor's and master's
  degrees from Texas College in Tyler, in addition to undertaking
  studies at Huston-Tillotson College, Stephen F. Austin State
  University, East Tennessee State College, and The University of
  Texas at Tyler; and
 
         WHEREAS, Mr. Derrick was hired as a teacher and coach for
  the Gladewater Independent School District, and he led the
  football team of his alma mater, Weldon High, to a 1968 state
  finals berth in the Prairie View Interscholastic League; he
  further distinguished himself by becoming the first African
  American coach hired at Gladewater High School; later, he ran for
  a seat on the Gladewater City Council, where he served for 22
  years and as mayor pro tempore for 15 years; his public service
  career culminated with a four-year term as the city's first
  African American mayor and subsequently ended with his
  retirement from public office in 2012; in recent years, a street
  in the city was named in his honor; and
 
         WHEREAS, Dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in
  Gladewater, Mayor Derrick was instrumental in the creation of
  Bumblebee Park and in a host of other major improvement projects;
  he was also active with the East Texas Council of Governments,
  Gladewater Habitat for Humanity, and myriad other groups, and he
  was involved in distributing as much as $100,000 in scholarships
  to local students through his work on the Gladewater Round-Up
  Rodeo Association Board of Trustees; a man of faith, he served as
  a treasurer and as deacon board chair at Pine Grove Missionary
  Baptist Church in Gilmer; and
 
         WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mayor Derrick was blessed
  with the love and support of his wife of 63 years, EverGrace
  Derrick, and his children, Lanita Derrick-Smith, Rory Derrick,
  and the late Eduardo Derrick, who preceded his father in death;
  he took special pride in his grandchildren, Derrick, Andree',
  Damien, Dana, Kamryn, Aubry, and Ebony, and great-grandchildren,
  Amillion and Damien; and
 
         WHEREAS, Walter Derrick cared deeply about his community
  and gave generously of his time and talents to make it a better
  place for all, and though he is greatly missed, his legacy lives
  on in the hearts of the many people whose lives he touched; now,
  therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th
  Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the memory of Walter Derrick
  and extend sincere sympathy to his 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 Senate adjourns this
  day, it do so in memory of Walter Derrick.
 
  Hughes
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on May 8, 2019, by a
    rising vote.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate