H.R. No. 1237
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The life of an admired coach and educator drew to a
close with the passing of Richard P. Sheffield of Jacksonville on
March 17, 2009, at the age of 84; and
WHEREAS, Born on May 17, 1924, in the community of Blox in
Jasper County, Dick Sheffield lettered in four sports at Kirbyville
High School and went on to play football and basketball at Lamar
Junior College; his studies were interrupted by service in the
Pacific Theater of World War II as a member of the U.S. Navy, but he
returned to Lamar in 1946 and then went on to be an outstanding
football player at Tulane University, earning invitations to the
Blue-Gray and Senior Bowl all-star games; and
WHEREAS, Following his graduation from Tulane, Mr. Sheffield
entered the coaching ranks at Beaumont High School, ultimately
becoming the team's head coach and winning a district championship
in 1956; two years later, he became assistant coach at Jacksonville
High School under Bum Phillips, Mr. Sheffield's former college
teammate; when Coach Phillips departed in 1959, Mr. Sheffield
became the Indians' head coach, beginning a 12-year tenure that
made him a well-known figure among football enthusiasts in East
Texas; and
WHEREAS, His Jacksonville High teams distinguished
themselves with their fierce competitiveness and frequently
battled for the district crown; in 1960 and 1962, he took his team
to the semifinal round in the state playoffs, and in 1970, his final
season on the Jacksonville sidelines, the Indians reached the
quarterfinals; on-field wins were only one measure of Coach
Sheffield's success, however; he was also renowned for his ability
to mold young athletes into responsible adults who came to
understand the value of hard work and perseverance, and he remained
a valued mentor for many of his players long after their high school
days had ended; highly respected in the Jacksonville community, he
was named the city's Man of the Year in 1960 and 1970; and
WHEREAS, After concluding his service at Jacksonville High,
he returned to coaching in 1979 with the eighth-grade team in
Henderson, and he also garnered an Outstanding Teacher of the Year
award in 1984 for his work with Henderson students; Coach Sheffield
was a member of the board of directors for the Texas High School
Coaches Association and was inducted into that organization's
Balfour Hall of Honor in 1987; he was also an active member of
Central Baptist Church in Jacksonville for 51 years; and
WHEREAS, Dick Sheffield leaves behind a legacy of leadership,
dedication, and concern for others, and memories of his words and
actions will continue to inspire his loved ones and the many
individuals he coached and taught through the years; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Richard P. Sheffield
and extend deepest condolences to the members of his family: to his
wife of 58 years, Betty Braden Sheffield; to his son, Richard Braden
Sheffield; to his daughter, Suzanne Sheffield; to his
grandchildren, Sara Dell'Omo and her husband, Tom, Richard
Sheffield and his wife, Crystal, and Stephen Sheffield; to his
great-grandson, Leo Dell'Omo; to his daughter-in-law, Mariagrazia
Sheffield; 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 adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Richard P.
Sheffield.
Hopson
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1237 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on April 16, 2009.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House