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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, La Vernia lost an admired civic leader with the |
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passing of former mayor Ewald Edward Koepp Jr. on March 20, 2016, at |
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the age of 86; and |
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WHEREAS, The son of E. O. and Theresa Koepp, "Junior" Koepp |
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was born on February 3, 1930; he played football as a student at La |
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Vernia High School and Texas Lutheran University, and he served his |
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country in the U.S. military during the Korean War; following in his |
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father's footsteps, he began working in the automotive industry at |
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an early age, and in 1969, he took over the family business, Koepp |
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Chevrolet; he dedicated himself to providing top-notch customer |
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service and the dealership flourished; he also took pride in his |
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role as developer of the Silverado Hills and Westover subdivisions; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Koepp served his community in numerous |
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leadership roles; during 14 years as mayor, he oversaw the paving of |
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roads and the installation of a sewer system, among other |
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improvements; he further served as a member of the county school |
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board and Wilson County appraisal board and as an officer in the |
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volunteer fire department; a founder of the La Vernia Chamber of |
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Commerce and the Greater La Vernia Chamber of Commerce, he was an |
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active member of the Lions Club, Sons of Hermann, and American |
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Legion; he benefited youth as a scout leader, and he was a past |
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master of Masonic Lodge No. 226 and a member of Alzahar Temple; |
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committed to conservative values, he organized the Wilson County |
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Republican Party and served as chair for a dozen years; and |
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WHEREAS, A devoted family man, Mr. Koepp married Jewel Helmke |
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on April 10, 1955, and they became the parents of two sons, Dwight |
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and Hiram, and a daughter, Melissa; eventually, he was blessed with |
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nine grandchildren, Eric, Andrew, Lauren, Jessica, Elise, |
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Alexandria, Travis, Parker, and Ryan; sustained by a strong faith, |
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Mr. Koepp was a valued member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, where he |
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served as councilman and as a member of the cemetery committee; |
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following his retirement, he enjoyed spending time with friends and |
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relatives, working cattle on his ranch, fishing, hunting, and |
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pursuing his great passion, taking care of the land; and |
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WHEREAS, Junior Koepp gave freely of his time and expertise |
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to better his community, and his selfless example of public service |
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and civic engagement remains a source of inspiration to all who were |
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privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of |
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Ewald Edward Koepp Jr. and extend sincere condolences to his family |
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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 Junior |
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Koepp. |