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R E S O L U T I O N
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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 and |
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leading the Javelinas to undefeated seasons in 1974, 1975, and 1976 |
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that yielded three Lone Star Conference crowns and three NAIA |
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Division I championships; named Most Valuable Player of the 1974 |
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NAIA title game, he also garnered the 1975-1976 NAIA and LSC Player |
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of the Year honors; he graduated in 1977 and later created the |
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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 earned |
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the Distinguished Alumni Award for his continuing involvement with |
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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 University |
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of North Texas, and Texas Tech University; after receiving his |
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juris doctor degree from St. Mary's University in 1991, he embarked |
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on his career as an attorney, following the tradition set by four |
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previous generations in his family; he joined the Ritchie Law Firm |
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in Mineral Wells to practice with his father, John, and played a |
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prominent role in civic affairs, serving as an attorney for the Palo |
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Pinto Water District and as a director of the First State Bank of |
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Mineral Wells and the Brazos Foundation; moreover, he was president |
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of the Noon Lions Club and captain of the Palo Pinto County |
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Sheriff's Posse, and he also distinguished himself as a rancher, |
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another occupation long pursued by the members of his family; and |
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WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Ritchie enjoyed the love |
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and support of his wife, Penny, his daughters, Leslie Kay and Lacie, |
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and his five grandchildren; and |
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WHEREAS, Richard Ritchie drew on his leadership and expertise |
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to benefit his fellow citizens, and his record of service will be a |
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lasting source of inspiration to all who were privileged to know |
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him; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature |
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hereby pay tribute to the life of Richard Preston Ritchie and extend |
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sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, Penny |
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Ritchie; to his daughters, Leslie Kay Ritchie Robnett and her |
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husband, Kevin, and Lacie Ritchie Austin and her husband, Matthew; |
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to his grandchildren, Elisha, Cyrus, Arleigh, Sky, and Sydney; and |
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to his other relatives 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 Senate adjourns this |
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day, it do so in memory of Richard Ritchie. |