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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, A rich and purposeful life drew to a close with the |
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passing of Fredrick Taylor Stotts of Texarkana on April 23, 2025, at |
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the age of 86; and |
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WHEREAS, The son of Fred and Irene Stotts, Fred Stotts was |
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born in Lake City, Arkansas, on November 13, 1938, and he grew up on |
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the family farm with his two sisters, Mary Jane and Gwendolyn; he |
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graduated from Arkansas State University with an agricultural |
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economics degree; and |
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WHEREAS, A resident of Texarkana for nearly six decades, |
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Mr. Stotts worked in agricultural lending, farming, and real estate |
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over the course of a rewarding career that spanned half a century; |
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he was a licensed pilot who loved flying, and "Land Man," as he |
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identified himself on the CB radio, knew every rural road in |
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Arkansas and encountered familiar faces wherever he went, even in |
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New York City; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Stotts and his first wife, Berta Brewer, became |
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the proud parents of three children, Shawna, Dawna, and Tracy; he |
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was fortunate enough to find love again, and on August 30, 2013, he |
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exchanged wedding vows with the former Janet Heflin; the couple |
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shared 12 happy years of marriage together, pursuing their mutual |
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passion for country music, two-step dancing and waltzing, taking |
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trips to Jefferson, and doting on their beagle, Lady; over the |
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years, Mr. Stotts experienced the joy of welcoming two |
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grandchildren and two great-grandchildren into his family, and he |
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treasured the companionship of his lifelong best friend, his cousin |
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Jim; and |
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WHEREAS, Although Fred Stotts is deeply missed, memories of |
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his generosity of spirit, his infectious smile, and his devotion to |
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his loved ones remain to comfort and inspire those he leaves behind; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 89th Texas Legislature |
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hereby pay tribute to the life of Fredrick Taylor Stotts and extend |
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heartfelt condolences to the members of his family: to his wife, |
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Janet Heflin Stotts; to his sister, Gwendolyn Whyers; to his |
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daughters, Shawna Nielsen and her husband, Rick, Dawna Haley and |
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her husband, Tim, and Tracy Stotts; to his grandchildren, Alese |
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Nielsen and Ryan Nielsen and his wife, Breanna; to his |
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great-grandchildren, Roman and Haven; and to his other relatives |
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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 Senate adjourns this |
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day, it do so in memory of Fred Stotts. |