S.C.R. No. 7
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The life of an admired rancher, businessman, and
civic leader drew to a close with the passing of James Ratliff Hurt
Sr. of Ector County on November 2, 2023, at the age of 93; and
WHEREAS, The son of Mary Ratliff Hurt and Sam Fuqua Hurt Sr.,
"Buzz" Hurt was born on April 29, 1930, in Austin; he and his
brother, Sam, grew up on the ranch founded by their grandparents in
northeastern Ector County, and it remained his home for most of his
life; after graduating from Odessa High School, he attended The
University of Texas at Austin until his father's death in 1950, when
he returned home to manage Ratliff Ranch; he played an active role
in developing the petroleum reserves under his land and ran
numerous companies, among them Z-Bar Ranch and Cattle Company,
Ratliff Ranch Development Company, PBP Fabrication, Incorporated,
and Eureka Prospecting Company; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hurt wed Freddie Jean Wheeler in 1950, and they
were blessed with four children, Mary Helen, Jay, Joe, and Sally; in
1983, he married the former Betsy Triplett, and during their
39-year marriage, they enjoyed their common interests of travel,
serving their community, and caring for their many dogs and cats; a
skilled baker of artisanal bread, Mr. Hurt delighted in giving away
loaves and teaching others the craft; he was also a talented
aviator, competing in aerobatics and earning recognition as a
Master Pilot from the Federal Aviation Administration; and
WHEREAS, Furthering his family's tradition of civic
engagement, Mr. Hurt served as a charter member of the Ector County
Airport board and a trustee of the Ector County Independent School
District; he volunteered with such organizations as the Sandhills
Hereford and Quarter Horse Show and Championship Rodeo, the Ector
County Livestock Show, and Globe of the Great Southwest; in
addition, he and his family donated land for Ratliff Stadium,
Ratliff Ranch Golf Links, the Bridge United Methodist Church, City
of Odessa Fire Station No. 9, and three roadway rights-of-way; he
was named the 1985 Heritage of Odessa Community Statesman for
Ranching, and he and Betsy Hurt were named the 1996 Citizens of the
Year by the Odessa Chamber of Commerce and 2020 Friend of the Arts
honorees by Odessa Arts; Mr. Hurt was a member of Wesley United
Methodist Community Group and brought communion bread to the group
the day before he died; and
WHEREAS, Deeply dedicated to his family and his community,
Buzz Hurt earned the lasting respect and admiration of all who were
privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas,
4th Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of James Ratliff
Hurt Sr. and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family:
to his wife of 39 years, Betsy Hurt; to his children, Mary Helen
Johnson, Joseph Stewart Hurt and his wife, Sherry, and Sally Beth
Bolton and her husband, Toya; to Vickie Hurt, the widow of his son,
Jay; to his 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; 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 and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of
Buzz Hurt Sr.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 7 was adopted by the Senate
on November 16, 2023, by a rising vote.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 7 was adopted by the House
on December 5, 2023, by a rising vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor