87R7104 CJM-D
By: Turner of Dallas H.R. No. 404
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Family and friends are experiencing great sadness
with the passing of community leader Curtis James Smith of Dallas,
who died on July 30, 2020, at the age of 95; and
WHEREAS, Born to Roy and Arbella Smith on January 18, 1925,
Curtis Smith grew up in Longview with three siblings, Roy, Nina, and
Ola; a U.S. Navy Veteran of World War II, Mr. Smith was the first
African American promoted to seaman first class; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Smith wed Kelcy Mae Williams in 1947, and the
couple shared an extraordinary and loving marriage that spanned 73
years, a love story that signifies a lifetime of dedication and
commitment to one another and to their family; they were blessed
with two daughters, Curtis Marie and Melbra, and their family later
grew to include four grandchildren, Kristia, Christopher, Gerald,
and Curtis, and 10 great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Smith enjoyed a 32-year career as a Sky Chief
manager with Braniff Airways; he went on to work as a Sky Chief
manager at American Airlines for 11 years before retiring; and
WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Smith were some of the earliest
residents of the Hamilton Park community; Mr. Smith founded the
Hamilton Park Interorganizational Council and played a pivotal role
in desegregation; he was instrumental in establishing policies and
educational rights for African Americans within the Richardson
Independent School District and Hamilton Park Pacesetter Magnet
School, and he was appointed by a federal judge as the first chair
and organizer of the Richardson ISD Bi-Racial Committee following
the Brown v. Board of Education supreme court case; he was also a
precinct chair and a founding member of the Hamilton Park Civic
League; he was honored at the Hamilton Park High School 2010
reunion, and he and his wife were named as a Dallas County Power
Couple; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Smith was a leading member of Hamilton Park
United Methodist Church, where he served as chair of the
state-licensed child care center and as a member of the Board of
Trustees Finance Committee and the United Methodist Men of The Park
ministry; in recognition of his leadership, the church's library
was named in his honor; and
WHEREAS, Deeply devoted to his family and his community,
Curtis Smith made a meaningful difference in the lives of countless
fellow citizens, and his contributions and impact will be
remembered with admiration for years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Curtis James Smith
and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family, his
friends, and his many supporters; 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 Curtis
Smith.