H.R. No. 205
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Family, friends, and members of the drag racing
community are mourning the loss of Charles Beal of San Diego,
California, who passed away on July 13, 2017, at the age of 74; and
WHEREAS, Born in San Diego on February 6, 1943, to C. W. and
Elsie Beal, Chuck Beal grew up with the companionship of his
brother, Daniel, and his five sisters, Norma, Ann, Sandy, Lana, and
Debbie; while attending Kearny High School, he met the love of his
life, the former Karen Rushing, and they wed in 1962, two years
after his graduation; they shared a rewarding marriage that spanned
more than five decades, and their family grew to include two
daughters, Kymi and Teri, three grandsons, Brandon, Tyson, and
Dylon, and three great-granddaughters, Celine, Kate, and Claire;
and
WHEREAS, After holding a position for three years at Solar
Turbines, Mr. Beal joined General Atomics, serving as fusion
quality assurance manager and non-destructive testing specialist
in the nuclear research and development division; toward the end of
his career, he worked on the GA electromagnetic aircraft launch
system, and he retired in 2014 after nearly half a century with the
company; and
WHEREAS, Devoted to the sport of drag racing, Mr. Beal began
competing as a driver in 1966 in both front- and rear-engine
dragsters, and in the late 1970s, he switched to alcohol funny cars,
winning the Winternationals championships in 1982 and 1983 and
making a name for himself on the West Coast racing scene as a
successful match racer; in the 1990s, he started racing nitro funny
cars; and
WHEREAS, This veteran driver's cars were known for their
bright orange, gold, and blue color schemes and their unique
nicknames, such as "Bealmobile" and "Goldie"; the founder and owner
of Chuck Beal Racing, Mr. Beal helped launch the racing career of
his grandson, Brandon Welch, and served as his crew chief during the
National Hot Rod Association's Mello Yello Drag Racing circuit in
2016; and
WHEREAS, A loving husband, a devoted father and grandfather,
and a highly regarded competitor in the racing world, Chuck Beal
lived a full and generous life, and the memory of his energy,
warmth, and enthusiasm will continue to inspire all those who had
the good fortune to know him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory
of Charles Beal and extend heartfelt sympathy to his family 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 Chuck Beal.
Huberty
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 205 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on August 15, 2017.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House