TITLE: In memory of former state representative Richard Floyd "Dick" Reynolds of Richardson.

SUMMARY: In memory of former state representative Richard Floyd "Dick" Reynolds of Richardson.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The people of Richardson lost an admired civic leader with the passing of former state representative Richard Floyd Reynolds on February 17, 2014, at the age of 86; and WHEREAS, Born in Flint, Ohio, on September 21, 1927, Dick Reynolds was raised by an aunt and uncle following the untimely death of his mother; he became interested in politics as a high school student and was elected to the student council; coming of age as World War II was ending, he enlisted in the United States Army and served as an x-ray technician in the Medical Corps; subsequently, he joined the Ohio National Guard and served until 1954; and WHEREAS, Mr. Reynolds graduated from Bliss Business College and completed his bachelor's degree in business administration at Ohio State University; he worked in accounting for several companies before moving to Texas in 1960 to manage the Collins Radio audit department; later, he embarked on a long tenure as an executive with Ben Griffin Enterprises, a diversified industrial and manufacturing company, and he eventually began his own consulting firm; and WHEREAS, Recognizing a lack of youth sports in his adopted hometown, Mr. Reynolds founded RSI Richardson Sports in 1963; he served for seven years as director and president of the organization, which provided opportunities for thousands of youngsters to participate in athletic competition; in addition, he coached baseball for several years, and he helped found the Spring Valley Athletic Association; and WHEREAS, This dynamic Texan was elected to the first of four consecutive terms on the Richardson City Council in 1963; he served as mayor pro tempore, and he played an instrumental role in the creation of Sherrill Park; in 1972, he won a seat in the Texas house, where he was one of just 13 Republicans; he served as vice chair of the Reapportionment Committee, and he was a member of the Intergovernmental Affairs and Revenue and Taxation Committees; he also participated in a feasibility study for the establishment of a state park on the Trinity River in Dallas County; a staunch conservative, he was a delegate to the Texas Constitutional Convention of 1974 and a Reagan delegate to the 1976 Republican National Convention; and WHEREAS, Although career demands prevented him from running for a third term in the legislature, Mr. Reynolds continued to serve his fellow citizens in numerous leadership roles; he was a founding member of the North Central Texas Council of Governments, and he was appointed to both the State Board of Insurance and the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission, which he served as chair; he also chaired the Parkland Memorial Hospital board; and WHEREAS, Mr. Reynolds was the devoted father of seven children, Christopher, Brad, Guy, Jack, Eric, Ann Marie, and Holly, and he took great pride in his 11 grandchildren; he shared a fulfilling marriage of 36 years with his wife, Donna Reynolds; and WHEREAS, While the death of Dick Reynolds brought great sorrow to his family and friends, his contributions to Richardson and to this state continue to resonate, and his record of accomplishments will long be treasured by all who held him dear; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable Richard Floyd "Dick" Reynolds and extend sincere sympathy to his loved ones; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of the Honorable Richard Floyd Reynolds. Craddick Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 343 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on February 19, 2015. Chief Clerk of the House