SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 362
In Memory
of
Jimmy Don Blair
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of Jimmy Don Blair, who died in 2023 at the
age of 81; and
WHEREAS, Jimmy Don Blair was born on September 27, 1941,
in the town of Borger in the Texas Panhandle; an accomplished
athlete and student, he graduated from Borger High School and
went on to attend Oklahoma University; a talented and
adventurous young man, Jim earned his pilot license, and after
deciding to pursue a career in law rather than medicine during
his senior year, he flew to The University of Texas to enroll
in law school; and
WHEREAS, Jim was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1967 and
moved to the Texas Panhandle, where he served the City of
Amarillo as assistant city attorney and as city judge; Jim also
served as the assistant district attorney of Randall County
before later relocating to Houston; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his time in public service, Jim sought
to create more efficient and effective processes in local
government to better serve citizens, and he and three other city
attorneys formed a private law firm dedicated to performing
essential services to aid local governments, beginning with the
collection of delinquent property taxes; and
WHEREAS, Highly respected by his colleagues, community
members, and clients, Jim was profoundly knowledgeable in many
legal fields and used his expertise to improve the lives of
others; he was instrumental in updating the Texas Property Tax
Code by drafting legislation that penalized delinquent taxpayers
rather than burdening taxing entities and other taxpaying
citizens; and
WHEREAS, In 1980, Jim transferred his legal practice to
Houston to be of service to more people; over ensuing decades, he
and his partners altered the firm, which now is known as
Linebarger, Goggan, Blair, and Sampson; he retired in 2006 and
became a senior advisor to the firm; and
WHEREAS, Jim was a man of deep faith who gave unselfishly
to others throughout his life; guided by a spirit of generosity,
he hosted more than 300 fundraisers over 10 years and contributed
to numerous philanthropic organizations, including disaster
relief efforts, and foundations to support education, cancer
patients, community clinics, and a food bank; and
WHEREAS, Named the hometown hero of The Woodlands in 2011,
he was widely known and admired throughout the community, where
he shared 35 rewarding years of marriage with Nelda Luce Blair;
he was a devoted father to his daughter, Maris Ann Blair, and a
loving father-in-law to her husband, David Hall, and, his
kindness and wisdom were a source of light in the lives of those
around him; he leaves behind an inspiring legacy of generosity
and service, and his memory will be forever cherished by his many
loved ones and by all who were privileged to share in his life;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Jimmy Don Blair; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
memory of Jim Blair.
Creighton
Bettencourt Huffman Parker Bettencourt Huffman Parker
Bettencourt Huffman Parker
Campbell Kolkhorst Zaffirini Campbell Kolkhorst Zaffirini
Campbell Kolkhorst Zaffirini
Nichols Nichols
Nichols
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 29, 2023, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate
Bettencourt Huffman Parker
Campbell Kolkhorst Zaffirini
Nichols