H.R. No. 1679
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The citizens of Jacksonville lost an admired
community leader and friend with the passing of Mayor Kenneth
Melvin on December 2, 2014, at the age of 74; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Melvin was born in Lindale on May 8, 1940, to
Cosby Ray and Ocie Algerine Melvin; he graduated from Lindale High
School and went on to attend Tyler Junior College, The University of
Texas at Tyler, and Dallas Business School; on May 28, 1959, he
married Fredia Nell Glaze, and they shared more than 55 years
together while lovingly raising a daughter, Ginger; and
WHEREAS, This lifelong Texan started his career as an
assistant manager and manager for various retailers in East Texas;
in 1969, he opened his own grocery business, which he sold in 1977
when he began employment with Southwestern Electric Service Company
in Jacksonville; following 32 years of service, he retired from his
position as comptroller of the company's business department; and
WHEREAS, After completing a training class in Hot Springs,
Arkansas, in 1970, Mr. Melvin also enjoyed work as a professional
square dance caller; he performed this role at the Jack & Jill Dance
Club in Jacksonville and numerous other dance halls around Texas,
and he was a guest caller for clubs as far away as Canada and Cancún;
moreover, he served his peers in a number of offices, including
president of the East Texas Callers Association and vice president
of the Texas State Callers' Association, and he was the featured
caller at several state festivals; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Melvin's interest in civic affairs led him to
join the Jacksonville City Council in 2005; he was elected mayor in
2011, and he held that office until the time of his passing; during
his tenure with the city, he worked to encourage cooperation in
efforts to better the community for all residents, and his business
acumen and attention to detail were appreciated by those on the
council who had the pleasure of working with him; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his professional accomplishments,
Mayor Melvin volunteered for more than a decade with Hospice of East
Texas; he was also a member of the First United Methodist Church in
Jacksonville; and
WHEREAS, Held in high esteem by all who knew him, Kenneth
Melvin built a life that was rich in family, friends, and meaningful
achievements, and he will be fondly remembered and deeply missed;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of the Honorable
Kenneth Melvin and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his
family: to his wife, Fredia Nell Glaze Melvin; to his daughter,
Ginger Nell Melvin Mees; to his grandchildren, Benjamin Joseph Mees
and his wife, Sammie Jo, Andrew Brady Melvin, and Melody Kay Melvin;
to his great-grandson, Brady James Mees; to his siblings, Martha
Rae Phillips and Douglas and Joe Melvin; and to his other relatives
and 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 Kenneth
Melvin.
Clardy
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1679 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on April 23, 2015.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House