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| 3 | 4 | | |
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| 4 | 5 | | R E S O L U T I O N |
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| 5 | 6 | | WHEREAS, The family and friends of Heraclio "Laco" |
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| 6 | 7 | | L. Villarreal are mourning the loss of this beloved gentleman, who |
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| 7 | 8 | | passed away on April 7, 2015, at the age of 82; and |
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| 8 | 9 | | WHEREAS, Laco Villarreal was born on November 15, 1932, to |
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| 9 | 10 | | Heraclio and Gregoria Villarreal; possessed of great courage and |
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| 10 | 11 | | initiative, he joined the U.S. Army in 1952 and served his country |
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| 11 | 12 | | until 1955; and |
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| 12 | 13 | | WHEREAS, Mr. Villarreal met the love of his life, Christel |
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| 13 | 14 | | Kopke, while stationed in Berlin, and he brought her with him to |
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| 14 | 15 | | Texas when he returned home from Germany; the couple exchanged the |
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| 15 | 16 | | vows of matrimony in Cotulla in 1956, and over the course of a |
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| 16 | 17 | | rewarding marriage that spanned nearly six decades, they were |
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| 17 | 18 | | blessed with three children, Anita, Steven, and Karen, and later |
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| 18 | 19 | | with four cherished grandchildren; and |
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| 19 | 20 | | WHEREAS, After retiring from the military, Mr. Villarreal |
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| 20 | 21 | | pursued a career as a transit worker and became a valued member of |
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| 21 | 22 | | Amalgamated Transit Union Local 694; he was also a skilled |
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| 22 | 23 | | woodworker and constructed a number of pieces that delighted his |
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| 23 | 24 | | family; and |
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| 24 | 25 | | WHEREAS, Those fortunate enough to have known Laco Villarreal |
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| 25 | 26 | | will always remember his strength, his humility, and his devotion |
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| 26 | 27 | | to his loved ones, and he will forever hold a treasured place in |
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| 27 | 28 | | their hearts; now, therefore, be it |
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| 28 | 29 | | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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| 29 | 30 | | Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Heraclio "Laco" |
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| 30 | 31 | | Villarreal and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his |
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| 31 | 32 | | family: to his wife, Christel Kopke; to his daughters, Anita Pitts |
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| 32 | 33 | | and Karen Villarreal; to his son, Steven Villarreal; to his four |
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| 33 | 34 | | grandchildren; to his sisters, Margarita Ondarza and Maria |
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| 34 | 35 | | Alvarado; to his brother, Raymundo Villarreal; and to his other |
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| 35 | 36 | | relatives and many friends; and, be it further |
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| 36 | 37 | | RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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| 37 | 38 | | prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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| 38 | 39 | | Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Heraclio |
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| 39 | 40 | | "Laco" L. Villarreal. |
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