TITLE: In memory of Neal Gordon Galloway of Weslaco.

SUMMARY: In memory of Neal Gordon Galloway of Weslaco.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Residents of Hidalgo County are mourning the loss of admired community leader Neal Gordon Galloway of Weslaco, who passed away on March 10, 2017, at the age of 90; and WHEREAS, The son of John and Ruth Galloway, Neal Galloway was born in Weslaco on September 11, 1926, and grew up with his brother, Bruce, and his sister, Phyllis; he played on the football team at Edcouch-Elsa High School, and after graduating in 1943, he briefly attended Texas A&M University before joining the U.S. Navy; he served for two years during World War II, operating and maintaining radar equipment, and then returned to Texas A&M, where he earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics; and WHEREAS, While working as a lifeguard in McAllen, Mr. Galloway met his future wife, the former Laura Frances Duff, and they were married in 1950; the couple shared 64 years together and raised six children, Gayle, Carol, Mary Kay, John, Robert, and Susan; later in life, Mr. Galloway welcomed into his family nine grandchildren, Stuart, Laura, Valerie, Neal, Katy, Patrick, Stephen, Stephanye, and Travis, and two great-grandchildren, Murphy and Winfield; after his wife Fran passed away, he was fortunate enough to find love again, and he married Jacqueline Hall in 2015; and WHEREAS, Apart from spending a year after college as a traveling salesman, Mr. Galloway made farming in South Texas his life's work; he also assisted in the study and eradication of insect and plant diseases at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Weslaco; and WHEREAS, This civic-minded Texan served two terms on the Elsa City Council, and from 1961 to 1965, he was the city's mayor and justice of the peace; he further contributed to the community by helping to establish the Knapp Memorial Methodist Hospital; in 1967, he was appointed chair of the charter board of the Region One Educational Service Center, and he served for 33 years on the board of the Delta Lake Irrigation District, including a term as president; he also held a seat as commander of the American Legion Delta Post No. 189, and during the 1960s, he made game films for the Edcouch-Elsa Yellow Jackets football team; and WHEREAS, A man of strong religious faith, Mr. Galloway was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church of Edcouch, serving the congregation as lay leader and Sunday school teacher and representing the church for more than three decades at the annual Southwest Texas Conference; and WHEREAS, A devoted family man, a successful farmer, and a respected community leader, Neal Galloway lived a rich and purposeful life, and memories of his warmth, good humor, and commitment to civic engagement will long inspire all who had the good fortune to know him; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Neal Gordon Galloway and extend heartfelt sympathy to his family and many 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 Neal Galloway. Martinez Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1362 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on April 27, 2017. Chief Clerk of the House