H.R. No. 187
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The passing of Larry Charles Wingert, former
publisher of the Monitor newspaper of McAllen, on January 16, 2021,
at the age of 83, has brought a profound loss to his loved ones and
to the community that he generously served; and
WHEREAS, Born in Waterloo, Iowa, in 1937, Larry Wingert was
the son of Tom and Thelma Wingert and grew up with a brother,
Darryl; he moved with his family to McAllen in his youth, and after
graduating from McAllen High School, he attended Pan American
College and Sul Ross State University; he first began his career in
the newspaper industry as a paperboy in 1953, and as he learned the
business over four decades, he found employment with the Monitor,
the Valley Morning Star, and the Brownsville Herald, as well as with
publications in Pampa and Odessa and cities in Ohio and New Mexico;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Wingert worked throughout Texas, including
several years in the Rio Grande Valley, and he served as publisher
of McAllen's the Monitor from 1977 to 1994; he was beloved by his
employees, whom he always treated with the utmost respect and
appreciation, and his calm, friendly management style helped the
staff navigate the many changes that occurred at the paper during
his 17-year tenure; under his leadership, the publication enjoyed
one of the most successful eras of its history; Mr. Wingert
believed in the value of print news not only as a vital source of
information, but also as a force for good in the community, and he
was known to donate ad space to charities and to utilize the paper
in other ways to promote harmony and unity among neighbors; and
WHEREAS, A dedicated volunteer and a supporter of numerous
local organizations and causes, Mr. Wingert was involved with the
McAllen Chamber of Commerce, the Jaycees, the Elks, Easter Seals,
the Rotary Club, and both the Boy and Girl Scouts; moreover, he was
a devout Catholic who attended mass daily, and he also found time to
visit hospice patients and to deliver meals to homebound seniors;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Wingert shared nearly 65 years of marriage with
the love of his life, Margaret; he was the devoted father of three
children, Stephan, Ashley, and Stephanie, and he was proud to see
his son follow in his footsteps to become the Monitor's current
publisher; his cherished family further included three
grandchildren, Kathryn, Jackson, and Amber; and
WHEREAS, Larry Wingert will be remembered with great
admiration for his professional achievements and for the myriad
ways he gave of himself to benefit others, and he will be deeply
missed by all who were privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Larry Charles Wingert
and extend sincere sympathy to his relatives and 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 Larry
Charles Wingert.
Guerra
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 187 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on March 18, 2021.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House