Texas HR 1498: In memory of Godfrey Vela of Corpus Christi.

Bill Text

89(R) HR 1498 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

  

  

  
 H.R. No. 1498

  

  

   

 R E S O L U T I O N

   

        WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew to 

  

 a close with the passing of Godfrey Vela of Corpus Christi on 

  

 May 28, 2025, at the age of 81; and

  

        WHEREAS, Born in Falfurrias on February 23, 1944, Godfrey 

  

 Vela grew up with the companionship of eight siblings; after 

  

 graduating from Falfurrias High School in 1963, he enrolled at 

  

 Texas A&I University; answering his nation's call to duty, he 

  

 joined the U.S. Army and served in the Vietnam War; he was honorably 

  

 discharged in 1969; and

  

        WHEREAS, The following year, Mr. Vela married the former 

  

 Rosie Villarreal, and the couple shared a fulfilling union that 

  

 spanned five and a half decades; he took great pride in their three 

  

 children, Sonia, Susana, and Godfrey, and over the years, their 

  

 cherished family grew to include four grandchildren, Gregory, 

  

 Simone, Lily, and Godfrey; and

  

        WHEREAS, Mr. Vela began taking night classes while working 

  

 full-time, and he earned a bachelor's degree in political science 

  

 from Texas A&I University in 1975 and an MBA from Corpus Christi 

  

 State University in 1980; he enjoyed a long and rewarding career 

  

 working for U.S. Steel and for Exxon, and he further benefited his 

  

 profession as president of the National Purchasing Management 

  

 Association; and

  

        WHEREAS, Active in his community, Mr. Vela was on the 

  

 Selective Service Board in Nueces County and he was the veterans 

  

 service officer for Brooks County; he was also involved in the 

  

 Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and Veterans 

  

 Affairs; an avid baseball fan, he served as a T-ball and Pony League 

  

 coach for his son and his grandson; and

  

        WHEREAS, Godfrey Vela was a man of great compassion who 

  

 remained engaged in the world throughout his life and who found joy 

  

 and inspiration in helping others; now, therefore, be it

  

        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas 

  

 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Godfrey Vela and 

  

 extend sincere condolences to his 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 Godfrey 

   

 Vela.

  

   

 Villalobos

   

   

 ______________________________

   

 Speaker of the House     

  

   

        I certify that H.R. No. 1498 was adopted by the House on June 

   

 2, 2025, by a non-record vote.

   

   

 ______________________________

   

 Chief Clerk of the House