TITLE: In memory of Fred George of Odessa.

SUMMARY: In memory of Fred George of Odessa.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The city of Odessa lost a respected business and community leader with the death of Fred Donald George on May 8, 2013, at the age of 67; and WHEREAS, Born in Odessa on August 14, 1945, Fred George graduated from Permian High School in 1964 and earned his bachelor's degree from St. Edward's University four years later; he went to work in the oil business and later purchased, expanded, and diversified his father's well-servicing company, which maintained one of the best safety records in the industry; Mr. George served his professional community as president of the Association of Oilwell Servicing Contractors; he also owned a beer distributorship, a welding company, and several large ranching operations, and he was instrumental in real estate development in the area and in the Texas Hill Country; he was named Entrepreneur of the Year in 2000; and WHEREAS, Mr. George was a city councilman in the late 1970s, and he served as mayor pro tem and as a member of the Mayor's Drug and Alcohol Task Force; one of the founders of Harmony Home Children's Advocacy Center, a shelter for abused children, he also served on the Pastoral Council at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, supported Odessa Catholic Charities, and dedicated time to the local food bank's board of directors; and WHEREAS, A devoted husband and family man, Mr. George married his high school sweetheart, the former Amanda Wallace, in 1971; over the years, their family grew to include 4 children and 10 grandchildren, and Mr. George spent many happy hours attending their recitals and sporting events or relaxing in the company of his loved ones at the family vacation home on Lake LBJ; an avid outdoorsman, he journeyed around the globe to indulge his passion for hunting and fishing, and he also visited the Holy Land and Vatican City; and WHEREAS, Fred George was known for his dedication to his family and for his professional and civic accomplishments, and his contributions will continue to resonate in the city he loved for years to come; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Fred Donald George and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, Amanda George; to his children, Benjamin George and his wife, Brooke, Melinda Tucker and her husband, Brian, Amy Koch and her husband, Kelvin, and Sarah Branum and her husband, Andrew; to his brother, Mike George, and his wife, Phyllis; to his sisters, Sheila Denton and her husband, James, Madeline George, and Mary Maier and her husband, Tom; to his 10 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 honor of Fred George. Lewis Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2678 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 24, 2013. Chief Clerk of the House