81R2579 JH-D
By: Hilderbran H.R. No. 39
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The life of a renowned artist and horseman drew to a
close with the passing of Jim Reno of Kerrville on November 1, 2008,
at the age of 79; and
WHEREAS, Considered to be one of the world's top sculptors of
equestrian subjects, Mr. Reno created monumental bronze images of
famous racehorses as well as a variety of western-themed works; his
knowledge of his subjects came from firsthand experience, and he
enjoyed a successful career as a trainer of cutting horses in
addition to his accomplishments as an artist; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Reno was born on March 14, 1929, in Wheeling,
West Virginia, and was raised in Indiana; his love of horses began
at age seven, when he got a job cleaning stalls at the county
fairgrounds, and his fascination with the animals later inspired
him to depict them in drawings and wood carvings; his talent earned
him a scholarship to the John Herron Art Institute in Indianapolis,
where he completed his formal studies; and
WHEREAS, Following his graduation in 1952, he headed for the
Lone Star State, hoping to become a full-time artist; when
commissions failed to materialize, he supported himself as a horse
trainer, and his work with cutting horses became an important and
enduring part of his life; he won acclaim for winning steeds such as
Madida, Sab, and Shorty Lena, and he and his wife, Mary Jo,
ultimately built a respected training operation at their ranch in
Kerrville; Mr. Reno was a prominent figure in the National Cutting
Horse Association, serving as president and as a member of the
executive board, and he was inducted into the NCHA Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, His success as an artist required perseverance, but
in time, word of his abilities began to spread; his major
breakthrough came in 1973, when he was commissioned by the owner of
racehorse Secretariat to create a monument to the Triple Crown
winner; a second statue that he made of the famed Thoroughbred
stands at the entrance to the Kentucky Horse Park, and other pieces
by Mr. Reno are found at the headquarters of the American Quarter
Horse Association in Amarillo, on the Texas Walk of Heroes at Sea
World in San Antonio, and at the Houston Astrodome; in total, he
completed 16 large-scale sculptures as well as numerous smaller
ones that are prized by collectors; and
WHEREAS, Through his lifelong love of horses and the western
culture they symbolize, Jim Reno realized many notable achievements
in two fields of endeavor, and he leaves behind a wealth of
inspiring artwork to be appreciated by his fellow Texans; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Jim Reno and extend
sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his wife, Mary
Jo Schrock Reno; to his children, Kathy Boone and her husband, Dan,
Jimmy Reno and his wife, Carmen, Johnny Reno and his wife, Amy,
Charlie Coon and his wife, Caryn, Mike Coon, and Scotty Eisaman and
his wife, Tami; to his grandchildren, Kelly Reina, Jill Smetek,
Jodie Cerny, Travis Reno, Tyler Reno, Kendall Coon, Cyndi Coon, and
Marty Boone; to his great-grandchildren, Bailey Reina, Rylee Reina,
Chance Cerny, Cassie Cerny, and Julie Smetek; 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 Jim Reno.