TITLE: In memory of former state representative Walter David Counts Jr. of Knox City.

SUMMARY: In memory of former state representative Walter David Counts Jr. of Knox City.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Honorable Walter David Counts Jr. of Knox City, a former state representative and brevet brigadier general in the Texas Army National Guard, passed away on August 18, 2023, at the age of 87; and WHEREAS, Born in Munday on July 14, 1936, David Counts was the son of Walter and Alma Counts; he grew up in Rule and attended West Texas State College and North Texas State College; in 1953, he joined the Texas Army National Guard, and over the course of 32 years in the military, he attained the rank of colonel; then-governor George W. Bush promoted him to brevet brigadier general following his retirement; among other honors, he received the General K. L. Bailey Award for heroism and the Minute Man Award for outstanding service; and WHEREAS, Mr. Counts wed the love of his life, the former Mary Mullins, on July 15, 1956; they became the proud parents of two children, Patti and David, and through the years, their family grew to include four grandchildren, Seth, Jennifer, Sarah, and Matthew, as well as eight great-grandchildren; and WHEREAS, Settling in Knox City, Mr. Counts established Counts Insurance Agency in 1960; he operated the business for 35 years, and he also founded Counts Real Estate; in addition, he owned a bookkeeping and tax service for a decade and grew wheat and cotton in Knox, Stonewall, and Haskell Counties; he served as vice president and director of Rolling Plains Well Service, as president and chair of Chap Operating Company, as director and treasurer of Perry Pump Service, and as a director of both First Bank of West Texas and Western Bancshares; moreover, he was a member of the board of the Texas Association of Realtors; and WHEREAS, Mr. Counts was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1988, and for the next 15 years, he worked tirelessly in behalf of his constituents, who resided primarily in the North Central Plains region; he chaired the Natural Resources Committee for a decade, co-chaired the Water Resources Committee, and served on many other committees, including the Insurance, Redistricting, and State Affairs Committees; he authored a constitutional amendment to exempt Masonic lodges from ad valorem taxes; and WHEREAS, A member of the Masons for more than six decades, Mr. Counts was raised to the degree of Master Mason in 1961, and he served three separate terms as Worshipful Master; he began his association with the Grand Lodge of Texas in 1971 and rose to become Most Worshipful Grand Master, the highest office in Texas Masonry, in 2008; he gave generously of his time and talents to a host of Masonic groups, and he served as treasurer of Masonic Children & Family Services of Texas and as a trustee of Scottish Rite for Children; the recipient of numerous honors, he was inducted into the Masonic Grand Lodge Library and Museum of Texas Sam Houston Hall of Fame and served as a patron of the library and museum; and WHEREAS, Mr. Counts also contributed to the greater community through his longtime service as a director of the Knox City Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Knox City Lions Club; he benefited higher education as a member of several boards, including the development board of Hardin-Simmons University; he was a valued congregant of First Baptist Church of Knox City and gave generously of his time and resources to Gideons International; and WHEREAS, David Counts lived a life that was rich in public service and in personal and professional achievements, and his contributions will be remembered and admired for years to come; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas, 4th Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory of Walter David Counts Jr. and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his wife, Mary Counts; to his children, Patti Counts Holmes and her husband, Steve, and David Counts III and his wife, Jill; to his grandchildren, Seth Barnett and his wife, Jenni, Jennifer McCann and her husband, Josh, Sarah Grace and her husband, Jacob, and Matthew Counts and his wife, Allie; to his eight great-grandchildren; to his sister, Cheryl Robinson, and her husband, Bobby; and to his many 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 and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of David Counts. Craddick President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 4 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on November 17, 2023. Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 4 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the Senate on November 30, 2023. Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: Date Governor