82R11805 MGR-D
By: Pitts H.R. No. 884
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Citizens of Ennis are mourning the loss of Jodie
Harbert, Jr., who passed away on February 10, 2011, at the age of
85; and
WHEREAS, Born in Denison to Jodie Harbert, Sr., and Julia
Mayes on March 12, 1925, Jodie Harbert later moved to Ennis with his
family; he attended Prairie View A&M University and then returned
to his hometown, taking a job at Ennis Business Forms in 1946; he
enjoyed a 44-year career with the company before his retirement;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Harbert also began his long association with the
Ennis Fire Department in 1946; this dedicated volunteer firefighter
was universally held in high esteem by the firefighters with whom he
served; often one of the first to arrive at fires in rural areas, he
was known for his dependability, his willingness to pitch in
wherever he was needed, and his wealth of knowledge about the city
and county he served; he had accumulated 50 years of service by
1996, when he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the fire
department, and he was named Firefighter of the Year by the North
Texas Firefighters Association in 2008; he gave a total of 63 years
as a volunteer to the Ennis Fire Department, reaching the rank of
lieutenant; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his service to the fire department,
Mr. Harbert participated in numerous community events and
volunteered his time to his church, to the local cemetery, and to
any friends and neighbors who needed help; and
WHEREAS, He shared a long and happy marriage with his wife,
Edwinna, who passed away in 2000, and he also enjoyed the love and
support of a son, Jodie; and
WHEREAS, Known for his kindness, optimism, and sense of
humor, Jodie Harbert demonstrated the positive difference that one
committed individual can make in the lives of others, and he will be
remembered with deep admiration and affection by those fortunate
enough to have known him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Jodie Harbert, Jr.,
and extend sincere sympathy to his son, Jodie Harbert III and his
wife, Denise, and to all who mourn the death of this beloved Texan;
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 Jodie
Harbert, Jr.