SR633 - In memory of Samuel Ray Sparrow.

        SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 633       In Memory   of   Samuel Ray Sparrow            WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and   commemorates the life of Samuel Ray Sparrow, who died on December   14, 2023, at the age of 32; and          WHEREAS, Born on August 21, 1991, in Nederland to Lizneth   Sparrow and James Ray Sparrow Jr., Sammy grew up in Groves   alongside his siblings Lourdes and Daniel, in whom he could   always find a ready playmate or companion; Sammy's passion for   baseball was a defining influence in his childhood, and he played   for Groves National Little League and made the all-star team each   year he was eligible; as a teenager, he had the pleasure of   visiting many different parts of the country attending   collegiate baseball camps and playing baseball with his select   travel team; and          WHEREAS, Sammy attended Port Neches-Groves High School,   where he played on the varsity baseball team and graduated in   2009; he furthered his education at Texas A&M   University--Kingsville, and after college, Sammy worked in the   insurance industry and was committed to helping his clients   however he could; his kindness and generous spirit were evident   in all of his endeavors, and his sincere desire to help anyone in   need was apparent to all who knew him; and          WHEREAS, Growing up in a house divided by conflicting   loyalties to various sports teams meant a steady source of banter   and good-natured rivalry, and despite being proud native Texans,   Sammy and his sister Lourdes cheered for the Boston Red Sox to the   amused dismay of the Yankees and Astros fans in the family; Sammy   was an enthusiastic fan of the Louisiana State University Tigers   and also supported the Dallas Cowboys along with his younger   brother, Daniel; together they celebrated their victories,   commiserated over their losses, and enjoyed taking road trips to   watch the Cowboys play; and          WHEREAS, Sammy's love of sports led him to make many   special memories, including traveling to Fenway Park to watch the   Boston Red Sox play, which he considered a true highlight of his   life; he also treasured such favorite memories as visiting New   York with his mother and seeing the Baseball Hall of Fame Museum,   and the trip he took with Daniel and Lourdes as adults to visit   Universal Studios was one of the many precious memories they   shared; and           WHEREAS, Music was always important to Sammy, and he taught   himself to play the piano and guitar and was an avid reader and   writer with a brilliant memory; he had a remarkable talent for   deciphering games and puzzles, as illustrated by his   extraordinary ability to rapidly solve a Rubik's Cube puzzle, a   skill he mastered at an early age; he especially enjoyed playing   games and spending time with his nephew, Xander, who will always   hold dear the memories he made with his Uncle Sam; and          WHEREAS, Sammy found a sense of solace in his spiritual   faith and always looked for the love and goodness in other   people; he adored animals, and throughout his life, he was a   devoted friend and caretaker of dogs, cats, birds, fish, turtles,   rabbits, a potbellied pig, and at one point, injured squirrels he   cared for and rehabilitated; his most beloved pet and companion   was undoubtedly his dog, Hook, and the close bond they shared was   clear to all who witnessed it; and          WHEREAS, Left to cherish Sammy's memory are his mother,   Lizneth Sparrow, his sister Lourdes Litchfield and her husband,   Michael; his brother Daniel Sparrow and his fiancée, Isabella;   his nephew, Alexander "Xander" Litchfield; his loving abuelo and   abuelita; and his father, James Ray Sparrow Jr.; his sister   Jennifer Womack; his brother James Ray Sparrow III; and the many   others who were blessed to share in his life; now, therefore, be   it          RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th   Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved   family of Samuel Ray Sparrow; and, be it further          RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for   his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas   Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in   memory of Sammy Sparrow.     Eckhardt                 ________________________________          President of the Senate               I hereby certify that the     above Resolution was adopted by     the Senate on May 31, 2025, by a     rising vote.                 ________________________________          Secretary of the Senate                 ________________________________           Member, Texas Senate