| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, The passing of Judge Earl Kent Ellis of Houston on |
|
|
July 2, 2017, at the age of 78, concluded a life of professional |
|
|
achievement and dedicated public service; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Born in Neosho, Missouri, on November 24, 1938, to |
|
|
Jewell William and Irene Lucille Ellis, Kent Ellis grew up on his |
|
|
family's farm outside of Dill City, Oklahoma; on New Year's Day in |
|
|
1960, he exchanged wedding vows with the former Oreta Cammell, and |
|
|
the couple went on to enjoy 57 rewarding years of marriage; they |
|
|
became the proud parents of three children, Mark, Angela, and |
|
|
James, and were blessed later in life with eight grandchildren and |
|
|
two great-grandchildren; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Mr. Ellis graduated from The University of Texas at |
|
|
Austin before earning his law degree from the South Texas College of |
|
|
Law in Houston; from 1980 to 1985, he served as an assistant |
|
|
district attorney in the Harris County District Attorney's Office, |
|
|
and he subsequently entered private practice as an attorney for |
|
|
several years; in 1994, he won election as a state district judge in |
|
|
the state's 315th District Court, which specializes in juvenile |
|
|
cases; voters returned him to office in 1998 and 2002, and during |
|
|
his 12 years of exemplary service, he gained a reputation as a fair |
|
|
and compassionate jurist; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, A man of strong faith, Judge Ellis served for many |
|
|
years as a minister and elder in various Church of Christ |
|
|
congregations in Oklahoma and Texas offering helpful guidance to |
|
|
numerous individuals as they pursued their spiritual paths; he drew |
|
|
on his vast knowledge of the Bible to deliver eloquent and inspiring |
|
|
sermons, and he was likewise an exceptional writer on various |
|
|
topics related to the Christian faith; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Judge Kent Ellis made a meaningful difference in |
|
|
countless lives, and his unwavering commitment to his profession, |
|
|
his faith, and his loved ones will be remembered and admired for |
|
|
years to come; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
|
|
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of |
|
|
Judge Earl Kent Ellis 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 Judge Kent |
|
|
Ellis. |