H.C.R. No. 87
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The certain knowledge of a life well lived may
comfort those saddened by the death of Gene Earl Parker of Amarillo
on September 19, 2014, at the age of 76; and
WHEREAS, Born on July 24, 1938, in Tahoka, Gene Parker was the
ninth of 10 children born to John and Patriel Parker; after
graduating from Happy High School in 1956, he went on to attend West
Texas State College, and he earned a bachelor's degree and a
master's degree in Spanish and educational administration; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Parker worked for the Shamrock Oil Company for a
brief time before embarking on a career as an educator with the
Edgewood Independent School District in the mid-1960s; he taught in
the Sunray Independent School District for several years, and in
1972, he became the superintendent of schools for the Wildorado
Independent School District; named the director of career planning
and placement at West Texas State University in 1974, he spent
nearly two decades in that position until his retirement in 1993;
and
WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan served three terms as a Randall
County commissioner, and during that time, he played an
instrumental role in the establishment of the Texas Panhandle War
Memorial in Amarillo; he also shared his time and talents with a
number of civic organizations, including the United Way of Amarillo
and Canyon, the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce, the Texas Aviation
Historical Society Board, the Panhandle Judges and Commissioners
Association, and the Panhandle Plains Higher Education Authority; a
man of faith, he was an active member of the congregation at
Paramount Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday school for many
years; and
WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Parker was blessed with
the love and support of his wife, Peggy, with whom he shared more
than 54 years; together, they raised four children, Del, Carmen,
Pam, and Mitch, and later welcomed into their family five
grandchildren; in addition to playing games with his grandkids,
Mr. Parker enjoyed working on the family farm, flying planes, and
square dancing; and
WHEREAS, Those fortunate enough to have known Gene Parker
will remember the way he touched their lives with his generosity and
optimism, and he will forever hold a treasured place in their
hearts; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby pay tribute to the memory of Gene Earl Parker and extend
sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, Peggy
Parker; to his daughter, Pam Barrett, and her husband, Jay; to his
son, Mitch Parker, and his wife, Kate; to his grandchildren,
Parker, Jeron, and Trey Barrett, and Charlotte and Will Parker; to
his sisters, Irene Hopper and Ruth Barrett; to his brothers, Johnny
Parker and his wife, Verbie, and Don Parker and his wife, Jeane; 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 and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of
Gene Earl Parker.
Smithee
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 87 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on March 26, 2015.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 87 was adopted by the Senate on
April 7, 2015, by a viva-voce vote.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor