By Margaret Mallard
July is a between month — between the beginning and the end of
summer. Right now at Pack we are feeling like the month of July. We are
going through the process of transition with our Senior Warden Richard
Belanger retiring and waiting for the name of our new warden.
A retirement party honoring Warden Belanger was held July 15 at the
Grimes County Fairgrounds.
Warden Belanger is getting excited about his plans to travel and to
spending more time with his family.
On May 30, the Pack Unit held a retirement party to honor Warren Warmke
our livestock supervisor. The party was held in the visitation room at
Pack with a lot of friends and co-workers to bid him farewell.
Attending from Ag. Headquarters were Wayne Newton, Tim Von Dohlen and
Steve Ecord. Also attending was his former program administrator Obie Harmon
and Dr. Charlie Page from A&M University.
Warden Richard Belanger presented a plaque to Mr. Warmke for his years
of service at TDCJ-ID.
The Farm Shop employees, Del Rowe, Tim Harris and Keith Abke presented
him with a graduation diploma from the Courtney/Whitehall Community College.
John West presented him a pair of boots, a gift from his fellow Ag.
employees. Mr. Newton shared a funny story with everyone about Mr. Warmke.
We wish Warren all the best in his retirement and he will be missed.
—-
Service awards for 15 years were presented to the following employees:
Officer Charles Bridges, Officer Christopher Allen, Officer David Robinson,
Officer Gerald Hughes, Sgt. Glendell Love, Sgt. James Wenzel, Officer Ray
Steptoe, Timothy Harris and Herman Wilson. Warden Thomas Merchant received
a service award for 20 years.
Congratulations to all of you.
Several new officers have joined the Pack Unit. Officer Kami Mable,
Officer Thomas Keizeya and Officer Herbert Wilson are new hires. Officer
Melva Johnson joined us from Ramsey I and Officer Dianna Field from the
Terrell Unit.
We are really glad to have all of you here with us at Pack.
Best of luck to Officer Larry Blankenship, Officer Paul Erickson, Officer
Justin Hunt and Officer Mary Jacobs who have decided to try a new career.
Also we miss Dean Phillips, he retired this month and we wish him the
best.
