H.R. No. 135
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, La Vernia lost an admired civic leader with the
passing of former mayor Ewald Edward Koepp Jr. on March 20, 2016, at
the age of 86; and
WHEREAS, The son of E. O. and Theresa Koepp, "Junior" Koepp
was born on February 3, 1930; he played football as a student at La
Vernia High School and Texas Lutheran University, and he served his
country in the U.S. military during the Korean War; following in his
father's footsteps, he began working in the automotive industry at
an early age, and in 1969, he took over the family business, Koepp
Chevrolet; he dedicated himself to providing top-notch customer
service and the dealership flourished; he also took pride in his
role as developer of the Silverado Hills and Westover subdivisions;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Koepp served his community in numerous
leadership roles; during 14 years as mayor, he oversaw the paving of
roads and the installation of a sewer system, among other
improvements; he further served as a member of the county school
board and Wilson County appraisal board and as an officer in the
volunteer fire department; a founder of the La Vernia Chamber of
Commerce and the Greater La Vernia Chamber of Commerce, he was an
active member of the Lions Club, Sons of Hermann, and American
Legion; he benefited youth as a scout leader, and he was a past
master of Masonic Lodge No. 226 and a member of Alzahar Temple;
committed to conservative values, he organized the Wilson County
Republican Party and served as chair for a dozen years; and
WHEREAS, A devoted family man, Mr. Koepp married Jewel Helmke
on April 10, 1955, and they became the parents of two sons, Dwight
and Hiram, and a daughter, Melissa; eventually, he was blessed with
nine grandchildren, Eric, Andrew, Lauren, Jessica, Elise,
Alexandria, Travis, Parker, and Ryan; sustained by a strong faith,
Mr. Koepp was a valued member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, where he
served as councilman and as a member of the cemetery committee;
following his retirement, he enjoyed spending time with friends and
relatives, working cattle on his ranch, fishing, hunting, and
pursuing his great passion, taking care of the land; and
WHEREAS, Junior Koepp gave freely of his time and expertise
to better his community, and his selfless example of public service
and civic engagement remains a source of inspiration to all who were
privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of
Ewald Edward Koepp Jr. and extend sincere condolences to his family
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 Junior
Koepp.
Guillen
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 135 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on November 1, 2023.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House