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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 604
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In Memory |
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of |
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Richard Ritchie |
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WHEREAS, With the passing of Richard Preston Ritchie on |
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May 11, 2023, at the age of 68, the residents of Mineral Wells bid |
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farewell to an accomplished attorney, a renowned athlete, and a |
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respected community leader; and |
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WHEREAS, Born on May 2, 1955, in Mineral Wells, Richard |
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Ritchie was the son of John and Ann Ritchie; he gained national |
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acclaim on the gridiron during his years at Texas A&I University, |
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compiling a remarkable 39-0 record as the starting quarterback |
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and leading the Javelinas to undefeated seasons in 1974, 1975, |
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and 1976 that yielded three Lone Star Conference crowns and three |
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NAIA Division I championships; named Most Valuable Player of the |
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1974 NAIA title game, he also garnered the 1975-1976 NAIA and LSC |
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Player of the Year honors; he graduated in 1977 and later created |
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the Richard Ritchie Endowment in support of the school's athletic |
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programs; he was inducted into the Javelina Hall of Fame, the LSC |
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Hall of Honor, and the College Football Hall of Fame, and he |
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earned the Distinguished Alumni Award for his continuing |
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involvement with the university; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Ritchie went on to serve as an assistant |
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football coach at The University of Texas at Austin, the |
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University of North Texas, and Texas Tech University; after |
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receiving his juris doctor degree from St. Mary's University in |
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1991, he embarked on his career as an attorney, following the |
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tradition set by four previous generations in his family; he |
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joined the Ritchie Law Firm in Mineral Wells to practice with his |
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father, John, and played a prominent role in civic affairs, |
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serving as an attorney for the Palo Pinto Water District and as a |
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director of the First State Bank of Mineral Wells and the Brazos |
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Foundation; moreover, he was president of the Noon Lions Club and |
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captain of the Palo Pinto County Sheriff's Posse, and he also |
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distinguished himself as a rancher, another occupation long |
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pursued by the members of his family; and |
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WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Ritchie enjoyed the |
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love and support of his wife, Penny, his daughters, Leslie Kay |
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and Lacie, and his five grandchildren; and |
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WHEREAS, Richard Ritchie drew on his leadership and |
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expertise to benefit his fellow citizens, and his record of |
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service will be a lasting 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 Senate of the State of Texas, 88th |
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Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of Richard Preston |
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Ritchie and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: |
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to his wife, Penny Ritchie; to his daughters, Leslie Kay Ritchie |
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Robnett and her husband, Kevin, and Lacie Ritchie Austin and her |
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husband, Matthew; to his grandchildren, Elisha, Cyrus, Arleigh, |
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Sky, and Sydney; and to his other relatives and friends; and, be |
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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 Richard Ritchie. |
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King |
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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 May 17, 2023, by a |
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rising vote. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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Member, Texas Senate |