83R24901 LB-D
By: Guillen H.R. No. 1943
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The city of Poteet lost a respected agricultural and
community leader with the passing of Richard Reyes on January 11,
2013, at the age of 63; and
WHEREAS, A native of Poteet, Richard Reyes was born to
Eduardo and Manuela Reyes on February 9, 1949; he graduated from
Poteet High School and, answering his country's call to duty,
served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War; on his
return, he married the former Victoria Briones, and over the course
of more than four decades together, they were blessed with three
daughters, Shirley, Anna, and Jessica; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Reyes continued his family's long tradition of
farming, and he raised a wide variety of crops, including squash,
peas, peanuts, watermelons, corn, and strawberries; he was one of
the first area farmers to be named Strawberry Grower of the Year,
and in 2011 the Reyes Farm was inducted into the Texas Department of
Agriculture Family Land Heritage Program, which recognizes farms
and ranches that have been in operation by the same family for a
century or more; and
WHEREAS, Active in the community, Mr. Reyes was junior vice
commander and post surgeon at the Poteet VFW Post No. 6970; in
addition, he served as director and grower liaison for the Poteet
Strawberry Festival Association and still found time to work in the
booths at the event; and
WHEREAS, In his leisure time, Mr. Reyes enjoyed hunting,
fishing, dancing, and preparing traditional family recipes such as
tamales and chicharrones; known for his wonderful sense of humor,
he took great pleasure in orchestrating practical jokes and in
playing card games with his fellow veterans from the VFW; devoted to
his loved ones, he especially liked doting on his grandchildren and
spending time with his dog, Lucky; and
WHEREAS, Richard Reyes lived life to the fullest, and in so
doing, he made the world a better place for those fortunate enough
to know him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Richard Reyes and
extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife,
Victoria Reyes; to his daughters, Shirley Natal and her husband,
Alex, Anna Salas and her husband, Jeffry, and Jessica Bartlett and
her husband, Bradley; to his grandchildren, Maria, Nikole, Thomas,
and Aiden Salas, Ricardo, Marcos, and Diego Natal, and Addison and
Brody Bartlett; to his siblings, Albert Reyes and his wife, Stella,
Adelfa Sanchez, Louisa Silva and her husband, John, David Reyes and
his wife, Mary, Margarita Houghes, Mary Garcia and her husband,
Juan, and Dianne Herrera and her husband, Jesse; 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 Richard
Reyes.