TITLE: In memory of James Ratliff "Jay" Hurt Jr.

SUMMARY: In memory of James Ratliff "Jay" Hurt Jr.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The passing of James Ratliff Hurt Jr. of Odessa on October 4, 2022, at the age of 68, brought an immeasurable loss to his family and friends; and WHEREAS, Born on the family ranch in Odessa on November 4, 1953, Jay Hurt was the son of James R. "Buzz" Hurt Sr. and Freddie Jean Wheeler and the stepson of Betsy Triplett Hurt; he attended Austin Elementary School and Crockett Junior High, where he met his future wife, the former Vickie Carol Thomas; they married in 1973, and the Hurt and Thomas families grew very close; eventually, the devoted couple became the proud parents of three daughters, Amy, Angie, and Jaymie, and they were blessed with three grandchildren, Sophia, Trey, and Helen; Buzz Hurt passed away in 2023; and WHEREAS, Mr. Hurt found great satisfaction in ranching, and he epitomized the cowboy ideal through his diligence, courtesy, and neighborliness; while working cattle across West Texas and New Mexico, he made a concerted effort to pay his respects to the ranchers who came before him; he was optimistic and resilient in the face of life's challenges; and WHEREAS, An expert rider, Mr. Hurt was active in the National Cutting Horse Association, and he and his wife spent many years showing horses and developing friendships with other members of the organization; he shared his love of horses with his granddaughters and dedicated countless hours to supporting them in the hunter/jumper arena; always encouraging and ready to help and participate, he built bonfires, drove hayrides, created homecoming floats, and danced on the football field; and WHEREAS, Jay Hurt is deeply missed by those he left behind, but they will forever treasure their memories of his kind and gentle ways; 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 "Jay" Hurt Jr. and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his wife of 49 years, Vickie Carol Thomas Hurt; to his surviving parents, Freddie Jean Wheeler and Betsy Triplett Hurt; to his siblings, Mary Helen Johnson, Joe Hurt and his wife, Sherry, Sally Bolton and her husband, Toya, and Benny Thomas and his wife, Susan; to his daughters, Amy Hurt, Angie Hurt King and her husband, Cliff, and Jaymie Hurt; to his grandchildren, Sophia Robertson and her husband, Braden, Trey King, and Helen Pasternak; and to his host of 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 and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of James Ratliff "Jay" Hurt Jr. President of the Senate Speaker of the House President of the Senate Speaker of the House I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 5 was adopted by the Senate on November 16, 2023, by a rising vote. Secretary of the Senate I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 5 was adopted by the House on December 5, 2023, by a rising vote. Chief Clerk of the House Approved: Date Governor