H.R. No. 1196
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Family and friends will long cherish their memories
of James Henderson Strain of Abilene, who passed away on December
22, 2013, at the age of 83; and
WHEREAS, Born to James H. and Victoria Strain in Odessa on
November 26, 1930, James Strain grew up in Haskell with his two
younger siblings, Ernest and Doris, and became an Eagle Scout
during his youth; he graduated from Haskell High School in 1948 and
went on to earn a degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M
University in 1952; as a member of the U.S. Army, he ably served his
country as a survey officer with the 7th Infantry Division during
the Korean War; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Strain played an important role in developing
the J. H. Strain and Sons highway construction company, which had
been founded by his father, and he helped guide its successful
operations for many years; respected by his colleagues in the
industry, he held such leadership positions as southwestern states
representative on the National Asphalt Pavement Association board,
president of the highway branch of the Associated General
Contractors of Texas, and president of the Texas Hot Mix
Association; and
WHEREAS, A prominent member of his community, Mr. Strain
served as president of Dixie Little League, as a director of the
Abilene Better Business Bureau, and as a member of the board of
Citizens National Bank of Abilene; in addition, he was a founding
member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church and chaired its
administrative board; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Strain and his wife, the former Carolyn Henshaw,
were married on May 30, 1952, beginning a richly rewarding marriage
that spanned more than six decades; the couple became the proud
parents of a daughter, Jayne, and two sons, Steve and Kent, and they
were further blessed as their family grew to include five
grandchildren, Alexis, Court, Ross, Whit, and Kaitlyn; and
WHEREAS, A devoted family man and an accomplished business
and civic leader, James Strain will be deeply missed, but the
integrity, courage, and abiding sense of humor with which he lived
his life will forever inspire all who had the good fortune to know
him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of James Henderson
Strain and extend sincere sympathy to those who mourn his passing;
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
Henderson Strain.
King of Taylor
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1196 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on March 26, 2015.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House