Former Texas Rangers Foundation

Celebrates 35th Anniversary with Record-Breaking Event

 

            KERRVILLE, TEXAS – Friends, members and Texas Rangers gathered in Kerrville to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Former Texas Rangers Foundation at their sixth annual Silver Stars & Six Guns 2006:  A Gathering of Friends of the Texas Rangers gala held September 30, 2006 benefiting the Former Texas Rangers Foundation.  The event, which was sold out over three weeks in advance, had over 620 guests in attendance and benefits both the Former Texas Rangers Foundation and the Texas Rangers History and Education Center capital building campaign.  During this special 35th anniversary celebration, the annual effort grossed over $550,000.

“Last year’s Silver Stars & Six Guns broke all the records,” said Joe B. Davis, President of the Former Texas Rangers Foundation.  “But this year, we set the bar even higher by raising even more money.  We had more guests attend our event and raised more money than ever before.”

Helping achieve the sell-out status of Silver Stars & Six Guns was a special performance by Nashville recording star Tracy Byrd.  Byrd, a Texas native and a mainstay on country music’s national charts for over a dozen years, attended the event and performed a live acoustical concert. 

“Seeing a talent such as Tracy up close and personal was by far one of the most unique aspects of this year’s event,” said Patti Parish-Kaminski, Event Coordinator.  “This was a rare opportunity for an intimate, personal concert and Tracy gave an extraordinary performance.”  Byrd’s concert was organized by Hill Country radio station The Ranch, FM 92.3, KRNH who hosted a private “Meet and Greet” with Byrd for a select group of Foundation donors.  Ranch morning show personalities J. D. Rose and Michelle Williams interviewed Byrd and excerpts will be featured on The Ranch.

A major portion of the evening’s proceeds came from the Grand Auction.  Highlights from this year’s Grand Auction included a Springfield 1911 A1 35th Anniversary Former Texas Rangers Foundation pistol with a hand-tooled holster by Kirkpatrick Leather that sold for $22,000; a one-of-a-kind Colt revolver with custom-made holster and gun belt by John Bianchi and 35th Anniversary Former Texas Rangers Foundation cinco peso badge all with matching serial numbers that sold for $19,000; a collection of four Texas Ranger badges from the four Rangers honored with the DPS Medal of Valor that sold for $26,000; and the original badge worn by retired Senior Captain H. R. “Lefty” Block from 1985 to 1992 that sold for $11,000.  Chairmen of the Grand Auction were Joe Davis and Todd Bock.

Major buyers at the Grand Auction included John and Sayler Sturkie, Bill McMinn, Harris County Commissioner Jerry and Pat Eversole, Dr. Larry Lessard and Bank of the Hills.  In addition to auction buyers, a $250,000 donation was made during the evening to the Foundation’s Capital Building Campaign. 

The silent auction featured over 120 lots ranging from sports memorabilia to art to collectibles.  Headed up by Chairmen Jean Eckstein and Sandy Sessums, the silent auction was extremely successful and raised over $21,000.

            A highlight of the evening was legendary country music broadcaster Harris County Constable Bill Bailey who served as Master of Ceremonies.  Bailey, who is the voice of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, kept the audience entertained with his unique wit and wisdom. 

                        In recognition of their vision and commitment to preserving Texas Ranger history, the Foundation celebrated its 35th anniversary by honoring the founding board members of the organization.  Founding members include the late Texas Ranger Captain A. Y. Allee; Joseph Dial, currently Foundation Chairman of the Board; the late Texas Ranger Don Gilliland; the late Walter McKay; the late Jack O. Miller, Sr.; Mrs. Patrick H. (Katie) Welder; and the late Texas Ranger E. A. (Dogie) Wright.  Walter McKay was represented by several members of his family attending the special celebration. Two of the founding board members, Katie Welder from Victoria and Joe Dial from Saint Jo, attended the event and were honored for their contribution in starting the organization.  Each were presented with commemorative plaques personally inscribed with a dedication: “To a visionary Texan with sincere appreciation and deep gratitude for your faithful dedication to preserving Texas Ranger history and creating a living legacy in the establishment of the Former Texas Rangers Foundation, presented by the Board of Directors, September 30, 2006.”

            The evening featured a special presentation to Foundation supporter Tom Daniels and Bank of the Hills.  Presented by retired Texas Ranger Captain Dan North, Daniels and Bank of the Hills received the President’s Distinguished Achievement Award in recognition of individuals who have shown extraordinary dedication and commitment in support of the Former Texas Rangers Foundation.  In his presentation, North said, “A leader is defined as someone who guides and inspires.  Tonight, we are pleased to honor a leader in industry, a leader in his community and a leader in philanthropy.” 

            The 2006 William Alexander Anderson “Big Foot” Wallace Scholarship was awarded to Holly Welch from Mesquite, daughter of Texas Ranger Terry and Elizabeth Welch.  Welch received a $5,000 scholarship and is currently attending the University of Arizona.

            The Golf Tournament on Friday had 66 players and was held at Scott Schreiner Municipal Golf Course.  Chairmen retired Texas Ranger Captain Grady Sessums and John Walters coordinated the event which raised over $10,500 and was sponsored by Bank of the Hills and Doyle and Lee Malone.

Other committee chairmen who helped make this year’s event a success were Michelle Williams and Stacey Sembrick, VIP Party Chairman; Cindy Forest and Cheryl Merritt, Decorations Chairman; Pam Gould, Invitations and Registration Chairman; Jack and Sue Steele, Hospitality Chairmen; Sally Derr, Ranger Store Chairman; Richard Tompkins, AV Chairman and Armen Babajanian, Wrap Up Chairman.

“We know that our volunteers and supporters are the reason we are successful and we know that they have a choice in which organizations they support,” said Davis.  “We sincerely appreciate their generous contributions of their time, talents and resources to the Former Texas Rangers Foundation.”

Major sponsors of  Silver Stars & Six Guns 2006 included:  Governor Sponsors Aus-Tex Printing & Mailing and The Ranch, FM 92.3, KRNH; Major Sponsors Bank of the Hills, H. Rugeley Ferguson, Dr. Joseph A. Murphy and Texas Monthly; Captain Sponsors The BBQ Gang, Cargill, Jeff Odom and Ray and Libby Sharp; Corporate Sponsor Guadalupe River RV Resort; Lieutenant Sponsors Wells Fargo and West Kerr Current; Ranger Sponsors Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty, E. D. Lester – Stewart Title and Stablewood Springs Resort; Sergeant Sponsors Inn of the Hills and Red and Gail Steagall; and Supporters Back 40 Supply, Ben E. Keith Beers, Bode Feed and Supply, Fultek, HEB, The Hill Country Café, Mini-Mart, 7 Canyons Ranch and Unifirst.