H.C.R. No. 199
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Memories of a life filled with joyful times and
meaningful accomplishments remain to comfort the family and friends
of George I. Richardson of Paris, Texas, who passed away on April
13, 2009, at the age of 85; and
WHEREAS, Born in Lamar County on February 22, 1924, to Thomas
Eugene and Tiney Freeman Richardson, George Richardson graduated
from the Midway School and attended Paris Junior College before
answering his nation's call to duty with service in the U.S. Army
during World War II; he played basketball on the military team and
came very close to qualifying to play on the U.S. Olympic team; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Richardson worked at the Texas Department of
Transportation for nearly four decades and retired as office
manager in the district maintenance engineer's office; he had a
deep passion for music and played the piano, banjo, mandolin,
guitar, and harmonica; a member of three different bands, he
frequently performed for the residents of local nursing homes over
the course of 20 years; he also took a prominent role in many
community activities, serving as president of the Rockford Cemetery
Association and as a member of the Cunningham school board;
moreover, he was a beloved participant in the Paris Rodeo
festivities each year, amusing spectators by riding his donkey at
the event; and
WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Richardson enjoyed the
love and support of his wife, the former Maureen Gordon, with whom
he shared 62 years; the couple raised two children, Ron and Gerrie,
and with the passing years welcomed into the family three
grandchildren, Jerrod, Kristi, and Chance, and three
great-grandchildren, Kaden, Ashlyn, and Gage; Mr. Richardson was a
proud member of Union Church at Taylortown, where he was active in
the music ministry, and he taught at several churches over the
course of his six-decade tenure as a Sunday school lecturer; and
WHEREAS, With his enduring devotion to his family and his
community, George Richardson made a meaningful difference in the
lives of his neighbors and loved ones, and his contributions will be
fondly remembered for years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby pay tribute to the life of George I. Richardson and extend
sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, Helen
Maureen Gordon Richardson; to his children, Ron Richardson and
Gerrie Bankhead; to his grandchildren, Jerrod Bankhead, Kristi
Callihan and her husband, Bryan, and Chance Bankhead and his
fiancee, Morgan Nickerson; to his great-grandchildren, Kaden and
Ashlyn Callihan and Gage Bankhead; to his sister, Wanda Reid; to his
sister-in-law, Ellen Richardson; and to his other relatives and
friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of
George Richardson.
Homer
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 199 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 4, 2009.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 199 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the Senate on May 18, 2009.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor