SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 606
In Memory
of
James Bryan Killebrew
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of James Bryan Killebrew, who died March 4,
2013, at the age of 86; and
WHEREAS, Jim Killebrew was born February 2, 1927, in Paris,
Texas; he was a 1943 graduate of Paris High School, and he
attended Paris Junior College and Texas A&M University before
volunteering for the United States Army Air Corps Aviation Cadets
in 1946; he remained on active duty through 1948 and then
attended the University of Houston, where he earned a degree in
industrial engineering; and
WHEREAS, He reentered active military service in 1951 as a
member of the United States Air Force, and upon completion of his
pilot training, he flew missions in Japan and Korea; in 1958, he
returned to Texas A&M University, where he served as a Reserve
Officers' Training Corps instructor and completed his master's
degree; after leaving the university, he took part in
high-altitude reconnaissance missions and then flew 104 missions
over North Vietnam in the course of two tours of duty; and
WHEREAS, After his service in Vietnam, he held a number of
command positions before ending his military career as deputy
commander of the 26th Tactical Air Command Reconnaissance Wing in
Zweibrucken, Germany; he retired with the rank of colonel after
more than 27 years of service to the nation; among his many awards
and citations were the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Legion of
Merit, and the Meritorious Service Medal with 10 oak leaf
clusters; and
WHEREAS, Following his retirement in 1978 from military
service, Mr. Killebrew served in various roles for several
companies and then embarked on a long and highly successful
career in real estate, from which he retired in 2000; he was
active in community affairs and served as president of the
Arlington Kiwanis Club and the Senior Men's Club; and
WHEREAS, A standout tennis player from a young age, he was
a star player at Paris High School and earned a letter in tennis
at Texas A&M University; he also won numerous tournaments during
his military career, including the singles championship in the
Pacific Olympics and both the singles and doubles titles in the
United States Forces Europe Tennis Championships; and
WHEREAS, He was a steadfast Aggie and a life member of the
Texas A&M Letterman's Club; in 2012, he became a legacy member of
the Memorial Student Center, where his name is permanently
displayed in the Flag Room; and
WHEREAS, A man of courage, strength, and honor, he gave
unselfishly to others, and his warm smile, his charming sense of
humor, and his enthusiasm for living each day to the fullest will
not be forgotten; and
WHEREAS, He was a devoted husband, father, and
grandfather, and he leaves behind memories that will be treasured
forever by his family and many friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of James Bryan Killebrew; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
memory of James Killebrew.
Davis
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 4, 2013, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate