H.R. No. 788
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew to
a close with the passing of Harold Kenneth Elliott of Arlington on
February 6, 2019, at the age of 83; and
WHEREAS, The son of Othel and Veda Elliott, Harold Elliott
was born in Clarendon on June 9, 1935; when he was only 14, he began
preaching, and he became a pastor two years later; he graduated from
The University of Texas at Arlington and Southwestern Baptist
Theological Seminary; in 1952, he married the former Norma Haws,
and they became the parents of three children, Tina, Ken, and
Sherrie; he eventually welcomed into his cherished family four
grandchildren, Andrea, Ashley, Kathryn, and Jonathan, and two
great-grandchildren, Mia and Gavin; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed clergyman was a pastor for three
decades and led Parkview Baptist Church from 1959 until his
retirement in 1982; in 1973, he began serving as a volunteer
chaplain for the Arlington Police Department, and he became its
first full-time chaplain in 1982; the officers gave him the
affectionate nickname "Chappy," and following his retirement in
2004, he continued to volunteer in his familiar role until his
passing; and
WHEREAS, After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Chaplain Elliott
consoled first responders in New York City, and over the years, he
provided spiritual guidance in a number of other major disasters,
including the Branch Davidian crisis, the Oklahoma City bombing,
and Hurricane Katrina; he held credentials from the Texas
Department of Public Safety Critical Incident Stress Team, the
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the
Tarrant County Sheriff's Department; he was also the author of two
books and produced two films, and in 1982, he founded the Police
Museum, which was named in his honor in 2004; and
WHEREAS, Harold Elliott was a source of wisdom and comfort to
innumerable people, and although he will be deeply missed, those
who were fortunate enough to know him will continue to find
inspiration in his faith, compassion, and devotion; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Harold Kenneth
Elliott and extend sincere condolences to all 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 Harold
Kenneth Elliott.
Tinderholt
Krause
Stickland
Turner of Tarrant
Zedler
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 788 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on March 21, 2019.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House