79S30256 MW-D
By: Goolsby H.R. No. 20
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Memories of a life filled with many joyful times and
meaningful accomplishments may comfort the family and friends of
James Lindsay Embrey, Jr., of Dallas, who passed away on November
11, 2005; and
WHEREAS, Born in 1925 in Gainesville, Mr. Embrey took
justifiable pride in his distinguished Lone Star heritage, as he
was the great-grandson of James Menees Lindsay, a Cooke County
pioneer who came to Texas from his native Tennessee in 1857 and went
on to become a major developer of the area as well as a noted judge
and philanthropist; and
WHEREAS, Accomplished in his own right, James Embrey was
active in sports in his youth and graduated from Gainesville High
School with honors and from Southern Methodist University, where he
earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering in 1945;
while a student at SMU, he answered his country's call to arms as a
participant in the V-12 program during World War II, and he also
served as president of Phi Delta Theta and lettered as a varsity
guard on the SMU basketball team; in 1947, after finishing his naval
service, Mr. Embrey completed yet another degree, receiving a
bachelor's in business administration; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Embrey made a name for himself in the business
community over the course of a remarkable career that spanned a
half-century; in the mid-1950s, he and George Underwood, Jr.,
developed Richardson Heights and became pivotal figures in the
growth of the Richardson area; most recently, Mr. Embrey had
distinguished himself as chair of First Continental Enterprises,
and he also co-owned several shopping centers and apartment
complexes in the area; and
WHEREAS, In addition to contributing to the economic vitality
of his community, Mr. Embrey gave generously of his time, talents,
and resources to Southern Methodist University; a member of its
board of trustees from 1970 to 1987, he was named trustee emeritus
of the university in 1991, and he also served as chair of both the
SMU Alumni Board and Mustang Club, president of the SMU Alumni
Association, and member of the SMU Athletic Forum Board and the
School of Engineering Executive Board; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Embrey's dedication to his alma mater has
touched the lives of countless people in a positive and lasting
manner; more than 2,000 engineering students have received
scholarships through an endowment he established in 1978, and
Mr. Embrey and his wife, Bobbie, donated funds for the construction
of the Jerry R. Junkins Engineering Building and the Gerald J. Ford
Stadium; in 2003, they further helped to make possible the
development of the Embrey Engineering Building; and
WHEREAS, For their long-standing support, SMU honored the
Embreys in 1999 with the university's Mustang Award, and the School
of Engineering presented Mr. Embrey with its Hall of Leaders
Distinguished Alumni Award in 2004; on November 3, 2005, he
received the highest honor SMU bestows on its graduates, the
Distinguished Alumni Award; and
WHEREAS, James Embrey is deeply missed by all who were
privileged to know him, and he will long be remembered for the
legacy of achievement and altruism he leaves behind; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of
James Lindsay Embrey, Jr., and extend sincere sympathy to the
members of his family: to his beloved wife, Bobbie G. Sherwood
Embrey; to his daughters, Gayle Nelson Embrey and Lauren Marsh
Embrey; to his grandsons, Jeffery Daniel Dean Harwell, Jr., and
James Lindsay Embrey Harwell; to his stepchildren, Robert Sherwood
Pirtle, James Taylor Pirtle, Jeanann Pirtle Galvis, and Lynne
Pirtle Bierdz; to his foster son, David Moore; to his cousin, Bryan
Marquis; and to his other relatives 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 James
Lindsay Embrey, Jr.