H.R. No. 2949
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A full and generous life drew to a close with the
passing of James Louis Halt of Dallas on April 6, 2015, at the age of
82; and
WHEREAS, The son of Edna and Wallace Halt, Jim Halt was born
in Sparta, Illinois, on April 12, 1932; he served his country in the
United States Navy during the Korean War, and he subsequently took
advantage of the G.I. Bill to complete his bachelor's degree at
Southern Illinois University; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Halt moved to the Dallas area in the early
1960s, and in 1966 he married the former Beverly Sheffield; he
adopted her daughter, Sheryl, and three years later, the couple
were blessed with another daughter, Melissa; raising two girls
brought him great joy, and when he became the grandfather of Ashley,
Maggie, Adrienne, and Sam, he never missed an opportunity to spend
time with them; and
WHEREAS, With his warm, funny, and outgoing personality,
Mr. Halt was a natural salesman, and he embarked on a successful
career with Jostens, a recognition products company; he loved to
take good care of his customers, and his job was his favorite hobby;
in 1977, he was proud to land the Super Bowl ring order from the
Dallas Cowboys, but every account was special to him; and
WHEREAS, A man of deep faith, Mr. Halt was a valued member of
Highland Park Presbyterian Church, where he taught Sunday school
for nearly three decades and coached the boys' basketball team; his
ever-present grin and upbeat manner led his students to give him the
well-deserved nickname "Happy Jack"; in addition, he was a
dedicated volunteer at the Gardens of Richardson retirement
community, where he brightened social occasions with his sparkling
conversation and skill as a dance partner; when he was diagnosed
with Alzheimer's, he faced this challenge with characteristic
grace, and he continued to show his love for the people around him;
and
WHEREAS, Jim Halt embraced life to the fullest, and memories
of the laughter, smiles, and stories he shared remain to gladden the
hearts of those he held dear; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Jim Halt and extend
sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his wife,
Beverly Halt; to his daughters, Sheryl Ofria and her husband, Ed,
and Melissa Youngblood and her husband, Keith; to his
granddaughters, Ashley, Maggie, and Adrienne Ofria; to his
grandson, Sam Youngblood; 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 James Louis
Halt.
Koop
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2949 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 27, 2015.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House