SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 812
In Memory
of
Joseph Eltidge Thigpen
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the
citizens of Haskell in mourning the loss of Dr. Joseph Eltidge
Thigpen, who died April 16, 2013, at the age of 92; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Thigpen was born September 30, 1920, in Bay
Springs, Mississippi; he graduated from Bay Springs High School
at the age of 16 and went on to earn a degree in biology from
Mississippi College; and
WHEREAS, He enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces
in 1942 and served the nation with distinction in the Pacific
theater as a pilot during World War II; in honor of his exemplary
service, he received the Asiatic Pacific Air Medal with one
bronze star and the World War II American Victory Medal; and
WHEREAS, While on leave during his military service, he met
Beunis Ratliff of Haskell, and the couple married on October 19,
1944; they enjoyed 68 years of marriage together, raised four
children, Joseph, Peggy, Anita, and Emily, and were blessed with
seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, After his service in the military, he earned a
degree from the University of Mississippi and was accepted into
Baylor College of Medicine in Houston; he received his medical
degree in 1950 and moved with his family to Haskell, where he
served four generations of patients with great dedication; and
WHEREAS, He was affectionately known as Dr. Joe to his
patients, who appreciated the concern and understanding he gave
them; he treated his patients like his family, and he continued
to make house calls long after most doctors had ceased the
practice; in recognition of his years of exceptional service to
the community, he was named Haskell's Citizen of the Year in
1994; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Thigpen passed on to succeeding generations
of his family the interest in medicine he had received from his
father, who was also a physician; his daughter Anita is a
registered nurse, his daughter Emily is a registered pharmacist,
and his grandson Ross has followed in his footsteps by attending
medical school; he was especially proud when Texas Tech
University named its nursing school the Anita Thigpen Perry
School of Nursing in 2008; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Thigpen was an enthusiastic flyer and often
took his family on impromptu flights to Ruidoso or Palo Duro
Canyon in his Piper Comanche airplane; and
WHEREAS, A man of high standards, compassion, and
humility, he gave unselfishly to others, and his generous spirit,
his love of medicine, 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 countless 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 Dr. Joseph Eltidge Thigpen; 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 Dr. Joseph Eltidge Thigpen.
Duncan
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 2, 2013, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate