H.R. No. 1484
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Admired Fort Worth coach and athletic administrator
Gerald Beal passed away on April 15, 2011, at the age of 77, leaving
his loved ones to reflect on a life that was rich in meaningful
accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, A native of Marshall, Mr. Beal graduated in 1954
from Bishop College where he played football and basketball; he
subsequently was hired by Kirkpatrick High School in the Fort Worth
Independent School District as a teacher and coach, and in both 1962
and 1963, he led the school's football team to state championships
in the Prairie View Interscholastic League, what was then the
state's governing body for African American high schools; to this
day, Kirkpatrick's PVIL victory remains the last state-level
athletic win by a school in FWISD; and
WHEREAS, Coach Beal went on to serve on the faculty at I. M.
Terrell High School, finishing his coaching career in 1971 with an
overall record of 109 wins, 36 losses, and 2 ties, as well as the 2
state crowns; the following year, he became the district's first
African American assistant athletic director, and he continued to
distinguish himself in that role before retiring in 1996; his
outstanding achievements in high school sports were recognized with
his induction into the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame and the Texas
High School Athletic Directors Association Hall of Honor; and
WHEREAS, A man of strong faith, Mr. Beal was an active member
of the East St. Paul Baptist Church, where he was a deacon and a
member of the choir; he was also active in his community as a member
of the Optimist Club, the Ambassadors Club, and other
organizations; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Beal was supported in his endeavors by his wife,
the former Harlean Berry, a fellow Bishop College graduate and
public school educator; the couple married in 1955 and shared more
than half a century until Mrs. Beal's death in 2008; together they
were blessed with two children, Ronald and Cheryl, as well as two
grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Gerald Beal lived a full and generous life centered
around his family, his faith, and his profession, and he will long
be remembered with deep affection by all those who were privileged
to know him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Gerald Beal and
extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his son,
Ronald Beal; to his daughter, Cheryl Beal Anderson; to his
grandchildren; 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 Gerald
Beal.
Veasey
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1484 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 5, 2011.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House