89R6088 TBO-D
By: Cole H.R. No. 18
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Dr. Charles Eugene Urdy of Austin, an esteemed
chemist, professor, and civic leader, passed away on October 16,
2024, at the age of 90; and
WHEREAS, The son of William Braxton Urdy and Roberta Pearl
Jackson Urdy, Charles Urdy was born in Georgetown on December 27,
1933, and he grew up with the companionship of 12 siblings; he
graduated from the old L. C. Anderson High School in Austin in 1950,
and he received a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Samuel Huston
College in 1954; answering his nation's call to duty, he joined the
U.S. Army Chemical Corps, and he served in the Korean War; in 1962,
he obtained a doctorate in physical analytical chemistry from The
University of Texas at Austin; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Urdy served as a chemistry professor at North
Carolina College at Durham, Prairie View A&M University, and Texas
Southern University before enjoying a rewarding tenure at
Huston-Tillotson University that spanned more than two decades;
along the way, he was employed as a research chemist at Dow Chemical
in Freeport and later at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology;
he went on to accept a position as manager of environmental science
and technical development at the Lower Colorado River Authority,
where he worked until his retirement in 1994; and
WHEREAS, First elected to the Austin City Council in 1981,
Dr. Urdy represented Place 6 for four terms, and he was named mayor
pro tem; he further distinguished himself as the first African
American man to serve as chair of the Austin housing authority
board, a post he held for 21 years; moreover, he chaired the Travis
County Juvenile Board citizens' advisory committee and the Black
Voters Action Project, and he was a longtime board chair of the
Austin Revitalization Authority, which named a public plaza in his
honor; he was also a member of the Austin Charter Revision Committee
and the Austin Tomorrow Goals Assembly; among his many
achievements, he was named the Outstanding Educator of America in
1975, and he received a community service award from the NAACP in
1971; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Urdy shared a rewarding marriage with his wife,
Margaret, that spanned more than five decades before her passing in
2013, and he took great pride in his three sons, Keith and Steven
Urdy, who preceded their father in death, and Christopher; over the
years, he had the pleasure of welcoming into his family many
grandchildren, nieces, and nephews; and
WHEREAS, Charles Urdy gave freely of his time and expertise
to better his community, and he leaves behind a record of service
that his loved ones can remember with pride; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Dr. Charles Eugene
Urdy and extend heartfelt sympathy to his family and 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 Charles
Urdy.