82R728 JNC-D
By: Patrick H.R. No. 386
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Memories of a life filled with joyful times and
meaningful accomplishments remain to comfort the family and friends
of James Edward Starrett of Arlington, who passed away on June 23,
2010, at the age of 88; and
WHEREAS, Born on May 24, 1922, James Starrett grew up in
Reilly Springs, where he graduated from the local high school at the
age of 15; he went on to attend Pickton High School in an effort to
extend his baseball career another year and later served his
country as a member of the U.S. Army Air Forces; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Starrett earned his bachelor's and master's
degrees from East Texas State University and began a distinguished
tenure in education that spanned more than three decades; after
teaching in Como and Pleasant Grove, he joined the Arlington
Independent School District in 1956 as vice principal of Ousley
Junior High School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Starrett later served as director of the
district's special services before returning to school
administration as principal of Bess Rankin Elementary; he was
subsequently named principal of Tom and Maude Foster Elementary,
and he earned the respect and admiration of students and colleagues
alike before his retirement in 1983; as evidence of his commitment
to the public education system in Arlington, he continued to mentor
young educators, and his professional contributions were
recognized in 1987 when the district named a school in his honor;
and
WHEREAS, A valued member of First Baptist Church of Arlington
for 54 years, he served his congregation as a greeter in the
children's wing, where he volunteered in Sunday school classes; he
also enjoyed attending high school football and baseball games and
sharing his time with various departments at the Arlington Baseball
Park; and
WHEREAS, Above all else, Mr. Starrett was devoted to his
family, including his wife, Ada, his children, Steve and Laura, and
his three beloved grandchildren, Jesse, Dalton, and Blair; and
WHEREAS, James Starrett was a positive influence in the lives
of countless young people, and he leaves behind a legacy of good
works that will long endure; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of James Edward Starrett
and extend deepest sympathy to the members of his family: to his
wife, Ada Starrett; to his children, Steve Starrett and Laura
Bogard; to his grandchildren, Jesse and Dalton Starrett and Blair
Bogard Kveton and her husband, Craig; to his sister, Ragene Moore;
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 James
Edward Starrett.