81R28047 BPG-D
By: Mallory Caraway H.R. No. 1871
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The late Derrick Lanier Geter of Dallas had a
lasting influence on his community through his notable endeavors in
behalf of its most vulnerable residents, and it is indeed fitting to
celebrate his life and legacy of service; and
WHEREAS, Born on February 13, 1963, in Augusta, Georgia, Mr.
Geter was the son of Tommie Geter, Jr., and Dorothy Geter; when he
was nearly five years old, his family moved from Langley, South
Carolina, to Dallas, and he graduated from David W. Carter High
School; he served his country in the Army National Guard and
continued his studies at the American Trades Institute; he was
employed with SmithKline Beecham Laboratories for a decade,
although gospel music was always his true calling; and
WHEREAS, This gifted musician performed with such stars as
Kirk Franklin and Yolanda Adams, and used his talents to reach out
to others, sharing his faith, providing encouragement, and
mentoring young people, including recording artist Greg O'Quin; he
was instrumental in organizing the Dallas Mass Choir in 1988 and
recorded "More Like Jesus" with that group; at the time of his
passing in October 2008, he was a musician at Mayo Chapel Methodist
Church; and
WHEREAS, After losing a beloved foster son to gang violence,
Mr. Geter redoubled his efforts to help youth through his music; he
created the musical drama Young Brother, You're Not Alone, and
wrote the title song for the play Don't Throw Your Life Away, which
also became the title track of his own CD release; in addition, he
established Geter Enterprises Outreach Ministries and the Give a
Child a Chance Foundation, and hosted such events as a talent show,
a children's gospel concert, and a concert to promote resistance to
gangs; and
WHEREAS, Serious illness beset Mr. Geter for many years, but
he never flagged in his resolve to help others and used his small
disability income to create and support events that gave children
opportunities to shine; his Kids Day in the Park events grew so
popular that local ministries and community organizations began to
join forces with him to bring even more people together through
these festivities; Mr. Geter turned his own birthdays into
celebrations for children, and he helped students at his former
school, T. G. Terry Elementary, by returning to give motivational
talks; and
WHEREAS, For more than two decades, Mr. Geter volunteered at
South Dallas and Cedar Hill nursing homes; moreover, he
collaborated with staff at Cedar Valley College to provide programs
and presented workshops in San Antonio, New York, Philadelphia, and
other cities around the country; when he received a diagnosis of
aggressive cancer, he brushed off any suggestion that he should
take more time for himself; and
WHEREAS, Even as his strength waned, Derrick Geter continued
to do whatever he could to make his community a better place, and
his generosity, compassion, and determination will forever inspire
all those who were fortunate enough to know him; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Derrick Geter and
extend sincere condolences to his daughter, Atalyah Young, to his
mother and stepfather, Dorothy Stoker Starks and George Starks, to
his father, Tommie Geter, Jr., to his sister and brothers, Deatra,
Darryl, and Christopher Geter, to his other family members and many
friends, and to the countless community members who mourn his
passing; 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 Derrick
Geter.