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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, A full and generous life drew to a close with the |
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passing of Dr. Jim B. Elam of Longview on July 13, 2025, at the age |
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of 89; and |
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WHEREAS, The son of Bryan and Allene Elam, Jim Elam was born |
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in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, on November 4, 1935, and he grew up with |
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the companionship of his sister, Betty Sue; he felt the call to the |
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ministry at the age of 15 and began preaching at a small church near |
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his hometown; in 1957, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, and he was |
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stationed in Germany and also served as director of the Army's |
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American Youth Association; and |
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WHEREAS, Dr. Elam earned a bachelor's degree from Texas |
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Christian University in 1961, and he later received a master of |
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divinity degree and a doctorate of ministry from Brite Divinity |
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School; ordained in 1964 at First Christian Church of Odessa, he |
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served numerous congregations over the course of a distinguished |
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ministerial career, including First Christian Church in Sulphur |
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Springs and First Christian Church in Duncanville; he went on to |
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lead First Christian Church in Longview as senior minister for 25 |
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years, and following his retirement in 2001, he acted as interim |
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senior minister for several churches; and |
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WHEREAS, Passionate about community service, Dr. Elam helped |
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establish the Palmer Drug Abuse Program, and he was instrumental in |
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the formation of a group affectionately known as the "Good Guys" who |
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played a pivotal role in launching a number of initiatives, such as |
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Habitat for Humanity in Longview, a chaplaincy program at Good |
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Shepherd Medical Center, and the East Texas Literacy Council; |
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moreover, he gave generously of his time and talents to various |
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other boards and organizations, including the Salvation Army, the |
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Kidney Foundation of Longview, and the Gregg County Juvenile Task |
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Force; and |
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WHEREAS, Dr. Elam shared a rewarding marriage of 61 years |
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with his wife, Mary Alice; he took great pride in his four children, |
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Matthew, Beth, Molly, and Margaret, and with the passing years, he |
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had the pleasure of seeing his treasured family grow to include |
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eight grandchildren, Adelynn, Sam, Elanor, Jack, Thomas, Oliver, |
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Benjamin, and Nathan; in his free time, he enjoyed following TCU |
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sports; and |
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WHEREAS, Deeply dedicated to his faith, his family, and his |
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community, Jim Elam earned the lasting respect and admiration of |
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all who were privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 89th Texas Legislature, 1st |
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Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of Dr. Jim B. Elam |
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and extend sincere condolences to all who mourn his passing; and, be |
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it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this |
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day, it do so in memory of Jim Elam. |