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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew to |
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a close with the passing of Godfrey Vela of Corpus Christi on |
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May 28, 2025, at the age of 81; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in Falfurrias on February 23, 1944, Godfrey |
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Vela grew up with the companionship of eight siblings; after |
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graduating from Falfurrias High School in 1963, he enrolled at |
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Texas A&I University; answering his nation's call to duty, he |
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joined the U.S. Army and served in the Vietnam War; he was honorably |
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discharged in 1969; and |
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WHEREAS, The following year, Mr. Vela married the former |
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Rosie Villarreal, and the couple shared a fulfilling union that |
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spanned five and a half decades; he took great pride in their three |
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children, Sonia, Susana, and Godfrey, and over the years, their |
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cherished family grew to include four grandchildren, Gregory, |
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Simone, Lily, and Godfrey; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Vela began taking night classes while working |
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full-time, and he earned a bachelor's degree in political science |
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from Texas A&I University in 1975 and an MBA from Corpus Christi |
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State University in 1980; he enjoyed a long and rewarding career |
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working for U.S. Steel and for Exxon, and he further benefited his |
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profession as president of the National Purchasing Management |
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Association; and |
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WHEREAS, Active in his community, Mr. Vela was on the |
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Selective Service Board in Nueces County and he was the veterans |
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service officer for Brooks County; he was also involved in the |
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Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and Veterans |
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Affairs; an avid baseball fan, he served as a T-ball and Pony League |
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coach for his son and his grandson; and |
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WHEREAS, Godfrey Vela was a man of great compassion who |
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remained engaged in the world throughout his life and who found joy |
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and inspiration in helping others; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Godfrey Vela and |
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extend sincere condolences to his relatives and friends; and, be it |
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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 Godfrey |
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Vela. |