H.R. No. 163
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The many friends and relatives of Zack Thomason
1-2 Burkett, Jr., were deeply saddened by the death of this prominent
1-3 Graham businessman and civic leader on November 6, 1992, at the age
1-4 of 78; and
1-5 WHEREAS, Born in Archer County on October 24, 1918, to Zack
1-6 and Annis Burkett, Mr. Burkett was graduated from Archer City High
1-7 School in 1936; following graduation, he attended The University of
1-8 Texas at Austin, where he met Lucile Walker of Graham, and the
1-9 happy couple were later married on December 25, 1939; and
1-10 WHEREAS, During World War II, Mr. Burkett's college studies
1-11 were interrupted by a tour of duty in the Pacific Theater, where he
1-12 proudly served as an ensign with the United States Navy; following
1-13 his discharge, this industrious young man returned to the
1-14 university to complete his bachelor of science degree in civil
1-15 engineering, a profession he was to follow throughout his lifetime;
1-16 and
1-17 WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Burkett moved to Graham in 1946, and he
1-18 worked for several years in the highway construction business
1-19 before founding the Zack Burkett Company in 1958, a highly
1-20 successful enterprise that continues in operation today; and
1-21 WHEREAS, Throughout his professional career, Mr. Burkett was
1-22 recognized across the state for his many activities in the civil
1-23 engineering field; he contributed his time and talents as president
1-24 of the Associated General Contractors of Texas in 1976, as highway
2-1 division chairman of the Associated General Contractors of America
2-2 in 1981, and as a board member of the Texas Industrial Commission
2-3 as an appointee of Governor Dolph Briscoe; and
2-4 WHEREAS, Mr. Burkett also was known locally for his many
2-5 civic activities, including his membership on the board of
2-6 directors of both the Graham National Bank and City National Bank
2-7 in Wichita Falls; he also served the community as a past president
2-8 of the Graham Chamber of Commerce and the Graham Industrial
2-9 Association and most recently served as president of both the
2-10 Graham Little League and the Graham Senior League baseball
2-11 programs; and
2-12 WHEREAS, In addition, Mr. Burkett was an active member of the
2-13 Holy Spirit Episcopal Church in Graham, where he served as senior
2-14 warden; and
2-15 WHEREAS, This outstanding gentleman will long be remembered
2-16 for the many significant contributions he made toward the
2-17 betterment of his community, state, and nation during his long and
2-18 rewarding life; though his presence is gone from us now, his unique
2-19 spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of the many people
2-20 whose lives he touched; now, therefore, be it
2-21 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
2-22 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Zack Thomason
2-23 Burkett, Jr., and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his
2-24 family: to his children, Carol Billings, Sue Cocke, Zack Burkett
2-25 III, and Jim Burkett; to his sisters, Madge Muehlburger and Dorothy
2-26 Voss; to his brother, Ted Burkett; and to the many other friends
2-27 and relatives of this fine man; and, be it further
3-1 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-2 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
3-3 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-4 Zack Thomason Burkett, Jr.
3-5 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-6 Zack Thomason Burkett, Jr.
3-7 Finnell
3-8 H.R. No. 163
3-9 _______________________________
3-10 Speaker of the House
3-11 I certify that H.R. No. 163 was unanimously adopted by a
3-12 rising vote of the House on March 11, 1993.
3-13 _______________________________
3-14 Chief Clerk of the House