81R8827 JGH-D
By: Laubenberg H.R. No. 711
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Family and friends are mourning the loss of Dr. Jack
Homer Hittson, Jr., of Rockwall, who passed away on February 10,
2009, at the age of 83; and
WHEREAS, A fifth-generation Texan, Jack Hittson was born on
June 19, 1925, in Palo Pinto, into one of the area's pioneer
ranching families; he graduated from Strawn High School and went on
to attend The University of Texas at Arlington when he was only 16;
and
WHEREAS, Answering his nation's call to duty during World War
II, he left college to enlist in the U.S. Navy, and he became a navy
pilot; after the war, he resumed his studies and graduated from
Baylor College of Dentistry at the age of 23; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Hittson's early career as a dentist was
adventurous; he practiced first in Panama, where he met and married
an elementary school teacher, the former Elizabeth Weltzin; in
1950, the young couple moved to Alaska, where Dr. Hittson practiced
aboard the public health ship MV Health; and
WHEREAS, In 1955, Dr. Hittson returned to Texas and
subsequently earned a graduate degree in orthodontics at the
University of Tennessee at Memphis; he moved to Garland and had no
sooner set up his practice when he was recommissioned for medical
military service by the army during the Korean War; he was stationed
in Orleans, France, where he was joined by his family; and
WHEREAS, After his discharge in 1957, Dr. Hittson returned to
Garland, where he established one of the first orthodontic
practices in North Texas; for nearly 30 years, he devoted himself to
creating beautiful smiles for several generations of young people
in Garland and Rockwall before he retired at the age of 60; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Hittson was active in his profession as a member
of the Garland Dental Study Club and the Texas Dental Association;
he was also a vital participant in community affairs, working with
the YMCA, the Boy Scouts, the Masons, and the Democratic Party; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his life, Dr. Hittson expressed his
curiosity about the world through a wide variety of interests; a
cattle rancher, a beekeeper, and a woodworker, he also rebuilt
Model A Fords and collected arrowheads, and he enjoyed studying
American history, telling stories, and writing short fiction; and
WHEREAS, Devoted to his family, community, and profession,
Jack Hittson led a rich and purposeful life, and he will always be
remembered with great admiration and affection by all those who
were privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Dr. Jack Homer
Hittson, Jr., and extend sincere condolences to the members of his
family: to his wife of 59 years, Elizabeth Edith Weltzin Hittson; to
his daughters, State Representative Carol Hittson Kent and her
husband, David C. Kent, and Suzanne Laura Hittson and her husband,
Kevin L. Smith; to his sons, Jeffery Roy Hittson and his wife, Mary
Pacheco, and William Jack Hittson and his wife, Kathy L. Ellis; to
his grandchildren, John Kent and his wife, Kelly, Meredith Kent,
Robert Kent, Amanda Hittson, Terra Hittson, Anne Hittson, Finn
Hittson, Lauren Hittson-Smith, Rachal Hittson-Smith, Jack
Hittson-Smith, and Hannah Hittson; to his sister, Mildred Harriet
Million, and her grandson, Tom Million, and his wife, Melissa; and
to his other relatives and friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Dr. Hittson's family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Dr. Jack
Homer Hittson, Jr.