By: Sparks 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.