H.R. No. 431
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Memories of a life well lived may help to comfort
those saddened by the passing of the Reverend Howard Leroy
Bloomquist of Weslaco on February 15, 2023, at the age of 80; and
WHEREAS, Born in Rockford, Illinois, on May 8, 1942, Howard
Bloomquist was the son of Elmer and Georgia Bloomquist, and he grew
up with the companionship of a brother, George; in 1963, he was
joined in marriage to Delores Kraemer, and the couple went on to
share a fulfilling union that spanned nearly six decades; they were
blessed with four children, Kristine, Kevin, Kirk, and the late
Craig Alan Bloomquist, and their family later grew to include five
grandchildren, Brittany, Blake, Brock, Brooke, and Braxton, and two
great-grandchildren, Averee and Addisyn; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Bloomquist earned a bachelor's degree in
theology from Minnesota Bible College; he began his ministerial
career in Concord, Minnesota, and went on to pastor in other cities
in the state with additional stops in Illinois and Indiana; along
the way, he served as chaplain at a state penitentiary and as an
emergency medical technician; and
WHEREAS, In 1990, Reverend Bloomquist became the minister at
First Christian Church in Weslaco; he eventually founded Central
Christian Church, which continues to thrive today, and he served
the congregation as pastor until his retirement in 2015; for many
years, he was the chaplain of the Weslaco Police Department, John
Knox Village, and Knapp Medical Center; he gave generously of his
time and talents to the community in countless other capacities,
including as a Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce "Red Coat"
ambassador and as an active member of the Weslaco Rotary Club; in
2010, he was selected as the Weslaco Outstanding Citizen of the
Year; and
WHEREAS, Howard Bloomquist lived a rich and purposeful life
devoted to his family, his faith, and his community, and he will be
deeply missed by all those who held him dear; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of the Reverend Howard
Leroy Bloomquist and extend sincere condolences to his loved ones;
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 the
Reverend Howard Bloomquist.
Martinez
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 431 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on March 16, 2023.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House