SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 836
In Memory
of
Ralph Harris Poteet
WHEREAS, The Lone Star State lost a respected educator with
the death of former Mesquite Independent School District
superintendent Dr. Ralph Harris Poteet, who passed away on
September 23, 2012, at the age of 86; and
WHEREAS, Born in Desdemona on July 12, 1926, to Sybil and
William Poteet, Ralph Poteet attended Stephenville High School
and graduated from Southwestern University in Georgetown; he
served his country in World War II and continued his education
with graduate studies at The University of Texas at Austin and
The University of Texas at Arlington; he received his doctorate
from East Texas State University; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Poteet began his career in education in
Bartlett in 1949, serving as a teacher, coach, and principal; he
moved to Mesquite in 1955 to work as the head football coach, and
five years later he was appointed business manager for the
district; he served as assistant superintendent before being
named district superintendent in 1964; and
WHEREAS, For 22 years, Dr. Poteet oversaw the Mesquite
Independent School District, ably guiding district schools
through a period of significant growth; during his tenure, the
district expanded to include 29 schools, and 30 new buildings
were constructed on area campuses; Dr. Poteet was an energetic
and visionary administrator who emphasized discipline and hard
work, and he helped the district become one of the most
innovative school systems in Texas, establishing the first
public school radio station, along with a public school
television station and a planetarium that were also among the
earliest in the state; he also created a school-community
partnership program that established a park along with each new
school; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Poteet was recognized with numerous awards
for his leadership, including a Texas Superintendent of the Year
regional award, the National Leadership Award from the National
School Development Council, and the Outstanding Leadership Award
from Phi Delta Kappa International, and he was named Mesquite
Citizen of the Year twice; for his retirement in 1986, President
Ronald Reagan, Texas Governor Mark White, and many other elected
officials sent congratulatory letters; moreover, a new high
school, the fourth in the district, was named for him, and his
initials of RHP inspired the school's motto, "Respect, Honor, and
Pride"; and
WHEREAS, Following his retirement, Dr. Poteet continued to
serve as a consultant with the district; he published articles on
education in several magazines and served as an adjunct professor
at East Texas State University; he further shared his time and
talents as the chair of Keep Mesquite Beautiful, as a director of
the Dallas County Appraisal District and the Christian Care
Center, and as a member of the local Lions Club and chamber of
commerce and the North Texas Council of Governments; and
WHEREAS, A man of faith, Dr. Poteet belonged to the Church
of Christ and served his congregation as a deacon and elder; in
all of his endeavors, he enjoyed the love and support of his wife
of 65 years, Anne Thomas Poteet, and he took great pride in their
daughter, Carol Anne Tipton, and her husband, Steve, and in their
grandsons, Casey, Jake, and Zach Tipton; and
WHEREAS, Deeply devoted to his family, his profession, and
his community, Dr. Ralph Poteet made a positive difference in the
lives of countless area Texans, and he leaves behind a legacy
that will resonate for years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
83rd Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the memory of Dr. Ralph
Poteet and extend deepest sympathy to his friends and loved ones;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
his family, and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this day, it
do so in memory of Dr. Ralph Poteet.
Deuell
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 6, 2013, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate