88R17251 EME-D
By: Collier H.R. No. 584
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, All who shared in the life of Johnny Welton Self were
deeply saddened by his passing on December 21, 2022, at the age of
72; and
WHEREAS, John Self was born to Helen Self Hickman and Jonas
Banks on January 29, 1950, in Zachary, Louisiana, and he grew up
with the companionship of four siblings, Clarence, Billy, Barbara,
and Ernest; after graduating from Chaneyville High School, he
obtained a bachelor's degree in business management at Southern
University in Baton Rouge; and
WHEREAS, A trailblazer throughout his career, Mr. Self was
the first Black firefighter to serve with the Arlington Fire
Department, beginning his tenure in 1973, and he went on to work for
the office of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts for several
years; when he was hired by TXU Energy/Oncor in 1999, he was the
first African American customer service representative at the
company, and with his appointment as vice president in 2004, he
became the first Black male to hold that post; his responsibilities
encompassed government affairs, and he emerged as a well-known
figure at the State Capitol, serving as a trusted advisor to
numerous elected officials; after retiring from TXU Energy/Oncor in
2008, he continued to work as a political consultant in Austin; and
WHEREAS, From an early age, Mr. Self was sustained by a deep
and abiding faith; a longtime congregant of Mount Olive Baptist
Church, he was a member of the executive board as well as a deacon,
usher, and Sunday school teacher; moreover, he played an
instrumental role in the construction of Lucille Baptist Church in
Palmer; and
WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Self enjoyed the love and
support of his wife, Bea, with whom he shared a rewarding marriage
that spanned nearly five decades; he took great pride in their
children, Jeremy and Jarita, and over the years, he had the pleasure
of welcoming three grandchildren into the family; and
WHEREAS, An accomplished professional, an engaged citizen,
and a devoted family man, John Self leaves behind a record of good
works and impressive achievements that his loved ones can remember
with pride; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Johnny Welton Self and
extend heartfelt sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife,
Beatrice Self; to his children, Jeremy Self and his wife, Angela,
and Jarita Gardner and her husband, Troy; to his grandchildren,
Tristan, Tatum, and Troy Johnny; to his siblings, Clarence Self and
his wife, Dafiney, Billy Self, and Barbara Anderson; to his
sisters-in-law, Mary Tapps, Gladys Bets, Dorothy Shaw and her
husband, David, Shirley Tapps, Barbara Netters, Pamela Jackson, and
Diana Davis; to his brother-in-law, Raymond Tapps and his wife,
Gayle; and to his other relatives and many 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 Johnny
Self.