WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SR 436

Memorials, Death - Fred Walton -

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Bobby Harshbarger

The resolution formally honors Fred Walton’s life and legacy as a longtime coach and community leader who shaped education and football in Kingsport.

Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
#death #memorials
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SR 436

Summary of Senate Resolution 436 (SR 436) – Tennessee, 114th General Assembly

Note: This is a memorial resolution recognizing a former public figure rather than substantive policy legislation.

Purpose and intent

  • SR 436 is a Senate memorial resolution honoring the life, career, and legacy of Fred Walton of Kingsport.
  • The resolution expresses sympathy to Walton’s family and honors his contributions to education, athletics, and the Kingsport community.
  • The primary aim is to publicly acknowledge Walton’s character, achievements, and impact as a longtime head football coach and community leader.

Key provisions and changes

  • Formal recognition of Fred Walton’s life and legacy by the Tennessee Senate.
  • Recounts Walton’s career highlights, including:
    • Head coach of Dobyns-Bennett High School football team (appointed 1972).
    • First alumnus from Dobyns-Bennett to serve as head coach.
    • Coaching record: teams had no losing seasons over his first decade; considered the winningest coach in the school's history at the time.
    • Conference accolades: named conference coach of the year five times.
    • Conference titles: team shared four conference titles (1974, 1976, 1977, 1978).
    • Playoff appearances: TSSAA playoffs in 1974, 1976, and 1978; state semifinals appearance in 1976.
    • Post-coaching career: color commentator for Dobyns-Bennett football broadcasts for 26 years.
    • Roles in education: various leadership positions within Kingsport City Schools (Washington Elementary, John Sevier Middle, vocational director at Dobyns-Bennett).
    • Community involvement: charter member/hall of fame associations and leadership positions in local organizations (Kingsport Boys Club Hall of Fame, Dobyns-Bennett Alumni Association/Hall of Fame, The Crossings Golf Club, Kingsport Credit Union Board—president for 18 years).
  • The resolution also notes Walton’s personal qualities (integrity, probity, compassion, loyalty, diligence) and his commitment to family.

Who or what would be affected

  • No direct regulatory or fiscal impact on state programs or individuals.
  • The resolution honors a public figure, which may influence public memory and historical record rather than policy.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Sponsor: Senator Harshbarger (and co-sponsor listed as Bobby Harshbarger; note discrepancy in naming conventions—likely a formatting artifact; the intent is a memorial resolution).
  • Action history: Filed for introduction on April 20, 2026.
  • Next steps: Standard legislative process for memorial resolutions; typically presented to the Senate for adoption with no accompanying fiscal impact.

Practical significance

  • Serves to formally recognize and memorialize a prominent local educator and coach.
  • Provides an official record of Walton’s contributions to education, athletics, and the Kingsport community.
  • The resolution may be read at ceremonies or presented to Walton’s family as part of formal acknowledgment by the state.

If you’d like, I can add a short one-paragraph pronunciation-friendly summary for press releases or convert this into a one-page briefing for stakeholders.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.