88R6457 TBO-D
 
  By: Geren H.R. No. 27
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, The life of an esteemed community leader and
  legendary rodeo showman drew to a close with the passing of
  W. R. Watt Jr. of Fort Worth on November 9, 2022, at the age of 88;
  and
         WHEREAS, Born in Fort Worth on March 29, 1934, Bob Watt was
  the son of W. R. Watt Sr. and the former Helen Wallace; he grew up
  with the companionship of his brother, Tom, and from an early age,
  he devoted considerable time to the family ranch in Throckmorton
  County; after attending Arlington Heights High School and the Hill
  School, he received a bachelor's degree in animal husbandry from
  Oklahoma State University; he oversaw the cow-calf operation at
  Watt Ranch for more than a half century, and he was a passionate
  steward of the land and livestock; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Watt began working for the Fort Worth Stock Show
  and Rodeo on a part-time basis in 1955, between college semesters;
  elected to the board in 1958, he went on to serve for 64 years,
  encompassing both a stint as secretary and a remarkable 33 years as
  president; he was also very active in a number of other roles, from
  assistant to the livestock and horse show managers to general
  manager; upon his retirement in 2010, he was named president
  emeritus; and
         WHEREAS, A skilled consensus-builder and man of vision,
  Mr. Watt was instrumental in the phenomenal growth of the rodeo;
  during his presidency, it expanded from 10 to 23 days, drawing a
  million visitors each year as Fort Worth's most-attended annual
  public event; along the way, Mr. Watt helped create a national
  model for public-private funding of public events facilities; he
  worked with local officials to effect the transformation of the
  Will Rogers Memorial Center, and in the 1980s, he oversaw
  development of the Amon G. Carter Jr. Exhibits Hall and the
  world-class Will Rogers Equestrian Center; in 1996, the Stock Show
  celebrated its centennial with the opening of the Charlie and Kit
  Moncrief Building and its W. R. Watt Arena; funded by $11 million
  from Stock Show supporters, the arena was named for Mr. Watt's
  father; Mr. Watt also led the effort to fund and build the ticket
  office and visitor's center at the main entrance of the Will Rogers
  Memorial Center; and
         WHEREAS, The Will Rogers Memorial Center was pivotal in Fort
  Worth's ascension as the country's premier location for livestock
  and equestrian competitions; annual entries from livestock and
  equestrian exhibitors eventually surpassed 30,000, and Mr. Watt
  founded an International Committee and facility to welcome guests
  from approximately 55 nations; his advocacy resulted in adoption of
  a new official name, Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show, to
  better reflect the importance of ranchers and farmers in meeting
  consumer demand; other innovations during his tenure included the
  Best of Mexico Celebración and the Cowboys of Color Rodeo; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Watt shared his expertise with numerous
  organizations; he served as director of the Professional Rodeo
  Cowboys Association, director and president of the North American
  Livestock Show and Rodeo Managers Association, director and
  honorary vice president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle
  Raisers Association, and director of the Texas Livestock Marketing
  Association and Texas FFA Foundation; moreover, he gave extensively
  of his time and talents to benefit many other charitable,
  community, and professional organizations; his efforts were key in
  the creation of the Citizens Support Group for the Fort Worth Police
  Department Mounted Patrol, and he continued to support its
  endeavors, such as the provision of horses and equipment and
  construction of a state-of-the-art equine boarding and training
  facility; in addition, he helped establish the Tarrant County
  chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and he was a highly engaged
  benefactor of the North Texas Chapter; he was a director of the Jane
  and John Justin Foundation and First Methodist Church of Fort Worth
  Foundation, as well as a member of the board of Harris Methodist
  Hospital; and
         WHEREAS, Inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame,
  Mr. Watt garnered numerous accolades for his contributions to the
  livestock industry and to his community, among them the People of
  Vision Award, Oklahoma State University Distinguished Alumni
  Award, Texas Hereford Association Outstanding Service Award, and
  Longhorn Council of the Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen
  Award; he and his father were joint recipients of the Charles
  Goodnight Award, and in 2022, he and his family were honored with
  the Bill King Award from the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo; for
  all his success, he remained modest and kind; he freely expressed
  his appreciation to the Stock Show staff, volunteers, and
  supporters, and he was a mentor to many; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Watt enjoyed fishing, especially in the waters
  off South Padre Island, and playing golf, particularly at River
  Crest Country Club; above all, he cherished time spent with his
  treasured family, whether pursuing their hobbies together, staying
  at the ranch, or watching Stock Show rodeo performances from his box
  at his beloved Will Rogers Coliseum; he shared a fulfilling
  marriage with his wife, Jerri Anne Watt, and he took great pride in
  his daughter, Susan, in his son, Trey, who preceded him in death,
  and in his stepson, Mike; through the years, he was blessed with
  seven grandchildren and a great-granddaughter; and
         WHEREAS, Bob Watt made a tremendous positive impact in the
  Fort Worth area and beyond, earning the lasting respect and
  admiration of his fellow citizens, and although he is sadly missed
  by all who were fortunate enough to know him, his achievements will
  continue to resonate for years to come; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
  Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of W. R. "Bob" Watt Jr.
  and extend deepest sympathy to the members of his family: to his
  wife, Jerri Anne Watt; to his daughter, Susan Watt; to his stepson,
  Mike McCrary, and his wife, Erica; to his brother, Tom Watt, and his
  wife, Betty; to his grandchildren, W. R. Watt IV and his wife, Mary
  Margaret, Callie A. Watt, Weston Wills, Walton Wills, Watt Wills,
  Davis McCrary, and Sienna McCrary; to his great-granddaughter,
  Georgia Watt; and to his nephews, Mike Watt and his wife, Laura, and
  Rob Watt and his wife, Peggy; pallbearers for the memorial service
  include: Watt Wills, Walton Wills, Weston Wills, Davis McCrary,
  Billy Bob Watt, and Reese Watt; honorary pallbearers include: Bill
  Anderson, Brad Barnes, Ed Bass, Matt Brockman, Jim Gay, Charlie
  Geren, Charles Lasater, Mike Sands, Bob Tallman, Roy Topham, and
  J. R. Williams; 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 Bob Watt.