H.R. No. 873
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Residents of Fort Worth lost a respected physician
and beloved community leader on February 8, 2009, with the passing
of Dr. James Elvis Guinn III at the age of 91; and
WHEREAS, Born on September 14, 1917, to Elvis and Eva Guinn,
James Guinn attended the James E. Guinn School and graduated
from I. M. Terrell High School; after earning his bachelor's degree
from Prairie View A&M University, he studied to become a doctor at
Meharry Medical College and furthered his knowledge as a member of
the U.S. Army Medical Corps, attaining the rank of captain; and
WHEREAS, In 1942, Dr. Guinn married the love of his life, the
former Heloise Laverne-Jobe, in Fort Worth; during their 61 years
together, the couple were blessed with three children, Sheila,
James, and William, four granddaughters, Thalassia, Amena,
Lakendra, and Angela, and six great-granddaughters; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Guinn opened his private practice in 1946, and
he continued to serve patients in Fort Worth for the next six
decades, eventually retiring in 2007, at the age of 89; a pioneering
member of his profession, he was the first African American
physician to perform surgery at St. Joseph's Hospital, and he
earned several awards and accolades for the contributions he made
to his community; Dr. Guinn was a Fort Worth Ambassador, a life
member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and a devout member of Allen
Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his life, James Guinn proved himself a
man of tremendous ability and dedication, and although he will be
greatly missed, his legacy of compassionate service will continue
to inspire others for years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Dr. James Elvis
Guinn III and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family:
to his children, Sheila Babers and her husband, Donald, James Elvis
Guinn IV, and William Rodney Guinn and his wife, Verdelle; to his
siblings, Dr. Edward Guinn and his wife, Addie, and Mary Dell
Johnson and her husband, Kenneth; to his grandchildren, Thalassia
Mombeleur and her husband, Yves, Amena Babers-Dews and her husband,
Calvin, Lakendra Lewis, and Angela Guinn; to his six
great-grandchildren and his 13 nieces and nephews; and to his other
relatives and many friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Dr. James
E. Guinn III.
Veasey
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 873 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on March 26, 2009.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House