H.R. No. 117
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Former Starr County judge Blas Chapa of Mission
passed away on May 10, 2010, at the age of 79, leaving his circle of
family and friends to cherish their happy memories of time spent in
his company; and
WHEREAS, Blas Chapa was born in El Refugio on November 29,
1930, to Jose Maria Chapa and Francisca Balderas Chapa; known to his
friends as "Blasito," he learned the value of hard work at an early
age, laboring in produce and cotton fields and walking to school in
Rio Grande City; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from high school in 1948, Judge
Chapa answered his nation's call to duty and joined the U.S. Army;
he served as a medic in Japan and Korea, where he saw action during
the Korean War, earning a number of commendations; and
WHEREAS, He returned to Texas and resumed his education,
working his way through Edinburg Junior College by driving a bus;
while attending college, he met his future wife, Socorro Vera, and
the couple went on to share a loving marriage until her death;
together they were blessed with three children, Blas, Irasema, and
Ileana; and
WHEREAS, During the course of a career in education, Judge
Chapa worked as a teacher and a principal while continuing his
studies, eventually earning a bachelor's degree from Pan American
University; he then entered politics, serving as the district clerk
of Starr County and for two terms as Starr County judge; along the
way, he was also in business as a bookkeeper; and
WHEREAS, A devoted family man and a loyal friend, Judge Chapa
distinguished himself as a gregarious and active member of his
community, and he is remembered with deep affection by all who knew
him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of
Judge Blas Chapa and extend sincere condolences to the members of
his family: to his son, Blas Chapa, Jr., and his wife, Clelia; to
his daughters, Irasema Maxwell and her husband, Harold, and Ileana
Vicinaiz and her husband, Victor; to his sisters, Trinidad Chapa,
Marcy Reyes and her husband, Ruben, and Maria Bazan; to his brother,
Jose Chapa, and his wife, Petra; to his grandchildren, Brianna
Maxwell, Blas Chapa III, John Edward Maxwell, Victor V. Vicinaiz
II, Sara I. Vicinaiz, and Miguel Chapa; 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 Judge Blas
Chapa.
Guillen
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 117 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on June 28, 2011.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House