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