TITLE: In memory of former Fort Worth Independent School District assistant athletic director Gerald Beal.

SUMMARY: In memory of former Fort Worth Independent School District assistant athletic director Gerald Beal.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Admired Fort Worth coach and athletic administrator Gerald Beal passed away on April 15, 2011, at the age of 77, leaving his loved ones to reflect on a life that was rich in meaningful accomplishments; and WHEREAS, A native of Marshall, Mr. Beal graduated in 1954 from Bishop College where he played football and basketball; he subsequently was hired by Kirkpatrick High School in the Fort Worth Independent School District as a teacher and coach, and in both 1962 and 1963, he led the school's football team to state championships in the Prairie View Interscholastic League, what was then the state's governing body for African American high schools; to this day, Kirkpatrick's PVIL victory remains the last state-level athletic win by a school in FWISD; and WHEREAS, Coach Beal went on to serve on the faculty at I. M. Terrell High School, finishing his coaching career in 1971 with an overall record of 109 wins, 36 losses, and 2 ties, as well as the 2 state crowns; the following year, he became the district's first African American assistant athletic director, and he continued to distinguish himself in that role before retiring in 1996; his outstanding achievements in high school sports were recognized with his induction into the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame and the Texas High School Athletic Directors Association Hall of Honor; and WHEREAS, A man of strong faith, Mr. Beal was an active member of the East St. Paul Baptist Church, where he was a deacon and a member of the choir; he was also active in his community as a member of the Optimist Club, the Ambassadors Club, and other organizations; and WHEREAS, Mr. Beal was supported in his endeavors by his wife, the former Harlean Berry, a fellow Bishop College graduate and public school educator; the couple married in 1955 and shared more than half a century until Mrs. Beal's death in 2008; together they were blessed with two children, Ronald and Cheryl, as well as two grandchildren; and WHEREAS, Gerald Beal lived a full and generous life centered around his family, his faith, and his profession, and he will long be remembered with deep affection by all those who were privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Gerald Beal and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his son, Ronald Beal; to his daughter, Cheryl Beal Anderson; to his grandchildren; and to his other 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 Gerald Beal. Veasey Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1484 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 5, 2011. Chief Clerk of the House