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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 24
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In Memory |
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of |
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Wayne A. Smith |
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WHEREAS, The citizens of Gladewater lost a beloved first |
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responder and civic leader with the passing of former fire chief |
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Wayne A. Smith on December 30, 2020, at the age of 65; and |
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WHEREAS, Fondly known as "Snuffy" to his friends and loved |
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ones, Wayne Smith was born in Gilmer on January 16, 1955, to |
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Herbert and Alice Smith, and he grew up with the companionship of |
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five siblings, Brenda, Beverly, Jerry, John, and Roger; after |
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graduating from Gladewater High School in 1973, he went on to |
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earn his associate degree in applied science from Kilgore |
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College; and |
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WHEREAS, Chief Smith led the Gladewater Fire Department |
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for more than 27 years, and his dedication and expertise were |
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respected throughout the city and beyond; an accomplished figure |
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in his profession, he was a Master Firefighter and an instructor |
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for the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service Fire Training |
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Academy and the Texas Municipal Fire School; furthermore, he was |
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president of the Local Emergency Planning Committee, safety |
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officer at the Northeast Texas Eastman Fire School, and president |
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of the Kilgore College Fire Academy Board; and |
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WHEREAS, In addition to his professional service, Chief |
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Smith was active in a number of other community groups and |
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initiatives; he was a prominent member of the Lions Club, where |
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he served as president in 2012, and he played an integral role in |
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establishing the Fall Festival Halloween activities; in |
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recognition of his contributions, he was named the 2010 Man of |
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the Year by the Gladewater Chamber of Commerce; and |
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WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Chief Smith enjoyed the love |
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and support of his wife, Cathy, with whom he shared a rewarding |
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marriage that spanned more than four decades; he took great pride |
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in his two sons, Randy and Brian, and with the passing years, he |
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had the pleasure of seeing his family grow to include a |
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daughter-in-law, Chantel, and four grandchildren, Audrey, |
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Christina, Kyler, and Chance; and |
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WHEREAS, Known for his leadership and integrity, as well as |
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his friendliness and delightful sense of humor, Wayne Smith |
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devoted himself to protecting his fellow citizens and improving |
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his community, and he leaves behind a record of service that his |
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loved ones can remember with pride; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th |
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Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of Chief Wayne A. |
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Smith and extend sincere sympathy to all who mourn his passing; |
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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 Senate adjourns |
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this day, it do so in memory of Chief Smith. |
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Hughes |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on February 9, 2021, by |
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a rising vote. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |