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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 689
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In Memory |
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of |
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Douglas Sapp |
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WHEREAS, A full and generous life drew to a close with the |
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passing of Douglas Mitchel Sapp of Longview on March 21, 2025, at |
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the age of 82; and |
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WHEREAS, Doug Sapp was born in Crestview, Florida, on |
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January 5, 1943; he married Lanette Sapp in the early 1980s, and |
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the couple shared a fulfilling union that spanned more than four |
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decades; he took great pride in their daughters, Sharon and |
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Reagan, and with the passing years, he had the pleasure of seeing |
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his treasured family grow to include 5 grandchildren and 11 |
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great-grandchildren; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Sapp worked in the circulation departments of |
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newspapers in Florida, Beaumont, and Palestine, before moving |
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with his family to Longview and serving as circulation manager of |
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the Longview News-Journal; and |
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WHEREAS, A man of strong faith, Mr. Sapp embraced a calling |
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to the "ministry of laughter" in 1972 and embarked on a joyful |
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53-year career as a clown and magician; he began by playing |
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Ronald McDonald for a local McDonald's franchise, and he later |
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adopted his favorite alias, Happy T. Clown; over the years, he |
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delighted generations of East Texans performing as Happy at |
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various community events, including the Great Pumpkin Roll, the |
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Longview Kite Festival, and the Wonderland of Lights in Marshall; |
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he frequently lent his services to nonprofits benefiting |
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children and individuals with disabilities, and he brought joy |
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and laughter to the lives of many of Longview's elderly residents |
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with regular performances at local nursing homes; and |
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WHEREAS, Dedicated to his community, Mr. Sapp volunteered |
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with Greater Longview Young Life, Buckner Children and Family |
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Services, and Camp Buckner, and he was a member of the Judson |
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Lions Club and the Fellowship of Christian Magicians; and |
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WHEREAS, Doug Sapp brightened the world for all who knew |
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him, and the citizens of Longview were fortunate indeed to count |
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him among their fellow residents; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th |
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Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the memory of Douglas Mitchel |
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Sapp and extend sincere condolences to all who mourn his passing; |
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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 |
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this day, it do so in memory of Doug Sapp. |
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Hughes |
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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 June 1, 2025, by a |
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rising vote. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |