H.R. No. 2308
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A caring and purposeful life came to an untimely end
with the passing of Steven Matthew Dekker of Houston on January 9,
2016, at the age of 51; and
WHEREAS, The son of John and Genevieve Pahls Dekker, Steve
Dekker was born on November 3, 1964, in Wichita, Kansas; he was
awarded a scholarship to attend both Wichita State University and
the University of Nevada--Las Vegas, where he lettered in tennis
and graduated with degrees in business administration and hotel and
restaurant management; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Dekker went on to work as a professional tennis
coach, and after moving to Houston in 1994, he taught at the River
Oaks Country Club, coaching Zina Garrison, George Bush, and other
well-known clients; along the way, he became one of the early
promoters of paddle tennis in the United States, and he traveled the
world playing the sport competitively with the U.S. Padel Team; and
WHEREAS, This dynamic Texan was later hired as director of
racquet sports at the Houstonian Health Club and Spa, and in that
role he was able to initiate a number of charitable ventures,
including a diabetes fund-raiser and a mentoring program for foster
children; he also supported the classical music program at Rice
University as both a donor and fund-raiser and enjoyed attending
performances of the institution's opera students and its symphony
orchestra at venues all over the country; and
WHEREAS, After he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of
brain cancer in August 2013, Steve Dekker's courage, dignity, and
commitment to helping others did not waver, and throughout his
two-and-a-half-year battle, he devoted himself to advancing the
fight against cancer; he was given a seat on the MD Anderson Cancer
Center's Patient and Family Advisory Council, and he additionally
served as a strong and compassionate voice for patients on the
hospital's volunteer services and patient experience steering
committees; and
WHEREAS, Blessed with a loving family, Mr. Dekker enjoyed a
17-year relationship with Gregory Montelaro, with whom he exchanged
wedding vows in June 2015; he happily welcomed Mr. Montelaro's
children, Brett and Lauren, into his life as his own, and he was
further cherished by a wide circle of siblings, nieces, nephews,
and extended family, as well as a multitude of dear friends; his
youthful exuberance and contagious smile made an impression on
everyone he encountered, and his passion for sports and the
outdoors led him to some of his favorite pastimes, which included
running marathons, waterskiing, and snowboarding; and
WHEREAS, Though his journey ended far too soon, Steve Dekker
built a life that was extraordinarily rich in professional
achievements, in love and friendship, and in meaningful service to
others, and he will forever be remembered with tremendous affection
by those he leaves behind; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Steven Matthew
Dekker and extend heartfelt sympathy to all who mourn his passing;
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 Steve
Dekker.
Farrar
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2308 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 25, 2017.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House