81R29757 CBE-D
By: Frost H.R. No. 1836
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Longtime Naples businessman and community leader
Hershel G. Welch passed away on April 20, 2009, at the age of 73; and
WHEREAS, Born on June 11, 1935, to Myrtle and Rube Welch,
Hershel "Sweetpea" Welch grew up in Naples and graduated from James
Bowie High School; he went on to earn a bachelor's degree in 1957
from Texas A&M University, where he was a member of the Corps of
Cadets, and to serve his country as a member of the U.S. Army and
Army Reserves; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Welch took over his father's business, Welch
Butane, in 1968, and under his guidance, the company expanded into
three retail locations and became known as WelchGas; from 1977 to
2007, he also operated Welch Energy, a propane transport company;
he further contributed to his profession as president of the Texas
Propane Gas Association and as board chair of the Texas Propane
Insurance Trust; through the years, WelchGas was honored for its
outstanding marketing efforts by the National Propane Gas
Association and the Railroad Commission of Texas; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to his fellow citizens, Mr. Welch shared
his time and talents with numerous organizations, including the
Naples United Fund, which he served as chair, and the Naples Chamber
of Commerce and the Naples-Omaha Lions Club, both of which he served
as president; in addition, he was a board member of the Morris
County National Bank and was instrumental in the funding and
construction of a downtown Naples gazebo in honor of the city's
former business and civic leaders; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan continued his military service
until 1979, when he retired as a lieutenant colonel, and in 2007,
after some 50 years of involvement with the company, he handed over
the ownership of WelchGas to his son, Wes; and
WHEREAS, Although many people are saddened by the loss of
Hershel "Sweetpea" Welch, they will long treasure their memories of
him as a man of great diligence, generosity, and ability; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Hershel G. Welch and
extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife of
30 years, Roleta Welch; to his sons, Wes Welch and his wife, April,
and Greg Wilcox and his wife, Lori; to his grandchildren, Zachary
and Cannen Welch, Grant and Caroline Wilcox, and Kristopher, Kira,
and Kayla Scott; and to his other relatives and many 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 Hershel G.
Welch.