87S10731 JGH-D
By: Guillen H.R. No. 17
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A full and generous life drew to a close with the
death of Joseph LaMantia Jr. of McAllen on June 14, 2021, at the age
of 88; and
WHEREAS, Joe LaMantia was born to Joseph and Verna LaMantia
in 1933, and he grew up in South Texas with five sisters, Marie,
Ann, Shirley, Verna, and Joan; his family settled in the Rio Grande
Valley in 1965, and in 1977 Mr. LaMantia started L&F Distributors,
a wholesale beer distribution company which has since grown to
encompass seven locations with nearly 1,100 employees serving 53
counties across the Lone Star State; and
WHEREAS, A longtime champion of education, Mr. LaMantia
established one of the first scholarships for women athletes at The
University of Texas-Pan American, and the scholarship was named for
his first wife, Ann LaMantia, who passed away in 1983; in addition,
L&F Distributors raised more than $5 million over eight years for
the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, and in 2002 he established the Stars
Scholarship Fund, which has disbursed over $35 million to more than
17,000 students in South and West Texas; and
WHEREAS, Mr. LaMantia served on the board of the Texas
Department of Corrections for 15 years, and he was an active
supporter of the Rio Grande Cancer Treatment Research Foundation,
the American Heart Association, the South Texas Communities for
Youth Service, and the Special Olympics, among many other
worthwhile organizations; he was recognized as Border Texan of the
Year and as a Distinguished Citizen by the Boy Scouts of America Rio
Grande Council, and his numerous other honors include the Citizen
of the Year award from The University of Texas Health Science Center
at San Antonio, the Bridge Builder Award from UTPA, and the Golden
Eagle Award from the Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce; and
WHEREAS, Following the death of his first wife, Mr. LaMantia
went on to share a rewarding marriage with Derrelene LaMantia that
spanned 36 years; he was a devoted father to his children, Val, Joe,
Greg, Steve, and Tony, and his stepchildren, Jennifer and Lori, and
he was eventually blessed with many grandchildren and
great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, A leader in his community, a successful
entrepreneur, and a generous philanthropist, Joe LaMantia leaves
behind a record of service that will continue to inspire all those
who were privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory
of Joseph LaMantia Jr. and extend heartfelt sympathy to his family
and his 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 Joe
LaMantia.