83R11693 BPG-D
By: Patrick H.R. No. 975
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Citizens of Arlington lost an admired civic leader
with the passing of former council member Franklin Eugene Patrick
on September 8, 2012, at the age of 72; and
WHEREAS, The son of Vertis and Martha Patrick, Gene Patrick
was born in Cleburne on July 16, 1940; he moved to Arlington at the
age of 11 and graduated from Arlington High School before going on
to attend The University of Texas at Arlington; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Patrick found employment with the Great
Southwest Corporation after college and was a member of the
original Six Flags Over Texas staff; this marked the beginning of a
distinguished 30-year career as a creative executive for theme
parks and entertainment venues around the world; known for his
expertise in design, costuming, and animation, he rose to become
vice president of Marriott's Great America parks before his
retirement in 1985; he subsequently moved back to Arlington and
founded his own companies, GP Show Productions and Showtek
Corporation; his client list included Six Flags AstroWorld in
Houston, the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Hershey's
Chocolate World in Pennsylvania, and an indoor theme park in China;
and
WHEREAS, For more than a quarter-century, Mr. Patrick was
highly engaged in civic life, focusing particularly on downtown
revitalization and the arts; he served three terms on the Arlington
Planning and Zoning Commission and was president of the original
Downtown Arlington, Inc., as well as a member of the Downtown
Arlington Revitalization Committee; in 2003, he was elected to the
first of five terms on the city council, a position that allowed him
to work even harder for the betterment of Arlington; although
health issues obliged him to resign in November 2011, he continued
to follow matters of concern to the city and generously shared his
knowledge with others; and
WHEREAS, This dynamic Texan further served his community
through the years as a Rotarian and as a member of the boards of the
chamber of commerce, the Chamber Foundation, the Arlington
Community Band, Theatre Arlington, the Arlington Museum of Art, and
the American Heart Association; moreover, he served on the UTA
Development Board and the UTA Liberal Arts Board; in 1999, he and
his wife, Penny, purchased the former Chamber of Commerce building
to aid the chamber's expansion into a new office complex and donated
use of the building to Theatre Arlington for its administrative
offices and education center; and
WHEREAS, A man of great faith, Mr. Patrick was a valued
member of First United Methodist Church for over 50 years and served
as board trustee chair; he played trumpet in the band and orchestra,
sang in the choir, and arranged the music for many church concerts
and holiday events; and
WHEREAS, Gene Patrick made a lasting, positive difference in
Arlington through his vision and selfless commitment, and although
he is deeply missed, his love for his community will continue to
inspire his fellow citizens; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Franklin Eugene
Patrick and extend sincere condolences to the members of his
family: to his wife, Penny Jo Patrick; to his six children and four
grandchildren; and to his many other relatives and friends; and, be
it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas House
of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Gene
Patrick.