[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 24, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H596]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE LIFE OF W. EUGENE BURRELL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Babin) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a community 
leader and longtime friend, W. Eugene Burrell, of Fannett, Texas, who 
passed away on Wednesday, December 30, 2020, at the age of 86.
  Eugene was a lifelong cattle rancher, rice farmer, and civic leader 
in southeast Texas. He had the respect of all who knew him. Eugene was 
born on October the 27, 1934, in Beaumont, Texas, to Louise DeVillier 
Burrell, and Walter Jordan Burrell.
  He began farming rice at the age of 18 and worked in that role until 
the age of 21, when he decided to serve his country in the United 
States Army.
  After serving the Army from 1955 to 1957, where he was stationed 
overseas in Germany, Eugene returned home and continued rice farming, 
an occupation that would last for 52 years.
  Apart from growing rice, he was also a dedicated cattle rancher for 
more than 70 years. Eugene served as a board member on numerous 
industry and community boards, such as the American Rice, Inc., board 
in Houston; American Rice Growers board in Cheek, Texas; the Coastal 
Cattlemen's Association board; the Equalization Board from the 
Jefferson County Appraisal District; the West Jefferson County 
Municipal Water District; and the Texas Rice Festival, where he 
volunteered with his wife, Sandra, who was the love of his life.
  In 1999, Eugene was named the Texas Rice Festival Farmer of the Year, 
and subsequently its Pioneer Farmer of the Year in 2017. His steadfast 
faith was always very important to him. In fact, he served as a member 
of St. Mary's Fannett Knights of Columbus organization.
  In addition to ``Eugene,'' his friends and family lovingly referred 
to him as ``Dad,'' ``Pawpaw,'' ``Boogie,'' and ``Fred.'' Supporting his 
children, and later his grandchildren, by attending their sporting 
events and various competitions over the years was always a very top 
priority to him.
  Eugene is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Sandra Ray 
Burrell; daughter Karen Burrell Reneau and her husband, Charlie; 
daughter Kelly Burrell Alton and her husband, Randy; son, Troy Eugene 
Burrell and his wife, Shelly; grandchildren Landon Reneau and his wife, 
Hillary; William Reneau and his wife, Amanda; Lane Stuart; Reid Alton; 
Mary Alton; Abby Alton; Cody Burrell; Cameron Burrell and his wife, 
Lauren; great-grandchildren Eli Reneau, Ella Reneau, and Bryar Burrell; 
and numerous nieces and nephews.
  He is preceded in death by his parents, Louise and Walter Burrell; 
and his brother, James Jack Burrell.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor my friend W. Eugene Burrell for 
his very many years of faithful service to his community.
  My thoughts and prayers remain with his family and friends during 
this very difficult time.
  May God bless his family.

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