SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 219
In Memory
of
Hamp Atkinson
WHEREAS, Family and friends will forever treasure their
memories of former state representative Hamp Atkinson of New
Boston, who died on July 5, 2016, at the age of 82; and
WHEREAS, Hamp Atkinson was born to Ballard and Sybil
Atkinson on December 23, 1933, in the Old Salem community near
New Boston; over the course of his working life, he owned a ranch,
a farm supply store, and a petroleum business, and he served as a
director of the Guaranty Bond Bank; he was a longtime member of
Tapp United Methodist Church in New Boston; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished Texan was also one of the
leading educators in Bowie County for many years, and he carried
his passionate advocacy for education with him into the Texas
Legislature, where he represented House District 1 from 1975 to
1983; a member of the Public Education Committee throughout his
tenure, he chaired that body during his last two terms and also
sat on a number of public education subcommittees, including
those on public school finance, the Teacher Retirement System,
and budget and oversight; in addition, he served as vice chair of
the Ways and Means Committee, and throughout the entirety of his
legislative career, he held a seat on the State Preservation
Board; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Atkinson was a loving husband to Sue Farris
Atkinson, and he delighted in the time he spent with his family,
which included his daughters, Amy Barron and her husband, Bryan,
and Melinda Black and her husband, Scott, as well as his
stepchildren, Lee Farris and his wife, Melissa, Julie Cherry and
her husband, Jim, and Jennifer Newton and her husband, Nick;
later in life, he was blessed with nine grandchildren and their
spouses, Magan and Clayton Wisdom, Paige and Matt Kiddey, Sara
McCarter, Molly Black, Brooks Black, Brody Barron, Lee William
Farris, Meredith Farris, and Harrison Newton, and a
great-grandson, Lane Wisdom; his first wife, Pat Atkinson, and
two daughters, Lisa Lyn Atkinson and Lori McCarter, preceded him
in death; and
WHEREAS, A devoted family man and a dedicated public
servant, Hamp Atkinson will be deeply missed, but he leaves
behind a record of civic engagement that will continue to inspire
all those who knew and loved him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable Hamp
Atkinson and extend sincere condolences to his family and
friends; 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 Hamp Atkinson.
Hughes
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 21, 2017,
by a rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate