84R4472 KSM-D
By: Sheffield H.R. No. 126
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The State of Texas lost a rodeo legend with the
passing of G. K. Lewallen of Stephenville on December 10, 2014, at
the age of 95; and
WHEREAS, Born on January 14, 1919, and raised in Blackwell,
Mr. Lewallen began competing in rodeos during his youth and joined
the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in 1937; riding in rough
stock events, he performed in arenas around the country, suffering
broken bones and numerous other serious injuries while proving his
exceptional courage and ability; and
WHEREAS, Undaunted by the dangers of rodeo life, Mr. Lewallen
claimed numerous championship titles, and in 1945 he took first
place in bull riding at the World Champion Rodeo, held at Madison
Square Garden in New York City; his victory earned him a hand-tooled
leather saddle that was one of the most prized mementos from his
outstanding career; and
WHEREAS, In 1944, Mr. Lewallen married the former Ethel
Spanier, whom he met while she was working as a member of the
Rockettes dance company in New York, and the couple ultimately
became the parents of three children, Nolan, Cindra, and Tula; they
moved to Stephenville after Mr. Lewallen retired from the rodeo
arena in 1956 and soon opened a western store, the Grand Entry; the
business grew out of an enterprise Mr. Lewallen had begun during
his time as a competitor, when he would sell hats, boots, and other
merchandise to fans attending the rodeos; and
WHEREAS, This determined Texan became a prominent figure in
the local community, and he helped shape Stephenville's image as
the self-proclaimed Cowboy Capital of the World; he was an original
member of the Erath County Livestock Association board of directors
and a member of the Stephenville Chamber of Commerce board; in
addition, he was a founding director of InterBank, and the
financial institution's Bluff Dale branch was dedicated in his
honor; and
WHEREAS, In recent decades, Mr. Lewallen earned a number of
prestigious accolades; in addition to becoming a member of the
Stephenville Cowboy Capital Walk of Fame, he was inducted into the
National Cowboy Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Texas Cowboy Hall of
Fame in 1997; after Ethel Lewallen passed away in 1988, he was
fortunate to find love again and married the former Nita Brooks;
they shared a rewarding marriage that spanned nearly a quarter
century before his death; and
WHEREAS, G. K. Lewallen was a true cowboy, a hardworking
gentleman who accomplished much but also remained humble and
thankful, and his contributions to the Stephenville community and
to the sport of rodeo will continue to be appreciated for years to
come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature pay tribute to the memory of G. K. Lewallen and extend
sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his wife, Nita;
to his children, Nolan Lewallen, Cindra Elms and her husband,
Chick, and Tula Vassel and her husband, Robert; to his
stepchildren, Louis Brooks and his wife, Charlotte, and Leigh Odom
and her husband, Doug; to his grandchildren, Chad Elms and his wife,
Stephanie, Chayla Horan and her husband, Ken, Clint Elms, Conner
Elms and his wife, Caitlin, Garett Vassel, Aaron Lewallen and his
wife, Stacey, Noelle Lewallen, Seth Lewallen, and Lauren Penner and
her husband, Alex; to his step-grandchildren, Lorie Lawrence and
her husband, Charles Ralph, Shasta Brooks and her husband, Scott
Zogbaum, Boyd Brooks, and Brooks Lawrence and his wife, Christe; to
his 11 great-grandchildren; 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 G. K.
Lewallen.