H.R. No. 295
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 Dr. Jimmy D. Pritchard of Forney on
February 24, 2021, at the age of 65; and
WHEREAS, The son of John Henry Pritchard and Mary Cordelia
Pritchard, Jim Pritchard was born in Fairfield on August 30, 1955,
and grew up with three brothers, Randall, Wayne, and Dan; after
graduating from Sam Houston State University, he went on to earn his
master of divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological
Seminary; he was called to serve as pastor at First Baptist Church
in Gould, Oklahoma, and then at Elliott Baptist Church near Camden,
Arkansas; while leading Congress Avenue Baptist Church in Austin
for six years, he completed his doctor of ministry degree at
Southwestern; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Pritchard became senior pastor of First Baptist
Church in Forney in 1994; during his distinguished 27-year tenure,
the congregation grew by nearly 7,000 members and relocated to a
larger facility; moreover, it funded $10 million in mission work;
Dr. Pritchard served his denomination in numerous capacities,
including trustee and chair of both Criswell College and the
Southern Baptist Convention's International Mission Board, trustee
of East Texas Baptist University, and president of the Southern
Baptists of Texas Convention; he was a keynote speaker for the 2009
SBTC Empower Conference and the 2010 SBTC Annual Meeting; and
WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Dr. Pritchard was supported by
the love and encouragement of his wife of 41 years, Jeannette Ann
Gilbreath Pritchard; they were blessed with three children, James,
John, and Julie, as well as eight grandchildren, Judah, Jolie,
Josiah, John, Jordan, Hayden, Ty, and Cole; and
WHEREAS, Although the death of Jim Pritchard has brought
great sorrow to those who loved him, his life was an inspiring
example of the good that one person can accomplish; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Dr. Jimmy D.
Pritchard 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 Dr. Jimmy
D. Pritchard.
Bell of Kaufman
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 295 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on March 18, 2021.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House