Hopkins Co., TX - Obits: Jefferson Kearney Brim **************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitted, and contact the listed USGENWEB archivist with proof of this consent The submitter has given permission to the USGENWEB Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ Submitted by: June E. Tuck 1224be@neto.com> **************************************************************** Jefferson Kearney Brim, age 59, one of Sulphur Springs’ most widely known citizens, died at Hopkins County Memorial Hospital at 2:10 a. m. Thursday. The prominent attorney and outstanding civic leader had been in declining health for several years, but he took a turn for the worse only a few days ago and entered the hospital for treatment. He failed to respond to treatment. Judge Brim was known and respected by friends and political acquaintances throughout Texas and the nation. He moved into state-wide political prominence when he served as State Chairman of the Democratic Party during the administration of Gov. Miriam A. Ferguson. Mr. Brim was active in all phases of school, church and civic life in Sulphur Springs. During the past few months he worked tirelessly in obtaining promise of the location of the Rockwell Manufacturing Company’s plant here. He headed up the Sulphur Springs Industrial Foundation, Inc., which will construct and own the plant building. Dairying in Hopkins County also was given a big boost by Mr. Brim during his life-time. One of the first registered herds in the county was developed by Mr. Brim after the former late Gov. Jim Ferguson gave him a heifer. Later, Mr. Brim imported registered bulls from Canada to improve his stock. A hard worker, Mr. Brim started out as a soda fountain clerk in Sulphur Springs, soon took up the study of law and then entered the legal profession to carve an outstanding career. He was a past president of the Rotary Club and one of its most ardent boosters. He served as president of the Chamber of Commerce, and for many years was the driving force behind the annual March of Dimes campaign in Hopkins County. Mr. Brim served as a member of the school board and was instrumental in bringing Coach J. O. "Buddy" Brothers, now of Tulsa University, to Sulphur Springs. Brothers rewarded Brim and other sportsmen by producing a championship football team. Mr. Brim, who served as chief inspector of the food and drug department in Texas in 1916-17, returned to Sulphur Springs in May, 1917 and organized Company M of the Sixth Texas Infantry. In three days 161 men and responded to his call and later this unit consolidated to form Co. B of the 4th Texas Infantry of Fort Worth. In January, 1918, Mr. Brim was transferred to the 305th Cavalry, which later was converted into the 45th Field Infantry. Mr. Brim entered the army as a private but was steadily promoted and was discharged with the rank of captain of field artillery on Dec. 28, 1918. At the time, he was acting commander of the second battalion of the 45th Field Artillley. For several years, beginning in 1933, Mr. Brim served as a member of the board of regents of Texas State College for Women at Denton. He was a past post commander of Hopkins County Post No. 66 of the American Legion and was a charter member of the organization. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, the Masonic Lodge, and the Knights of Pythius. Jefferson Kearney Brim was born March 3, 1893, at Denton, (Texas,) the son of the late Charles H. and Gertrude Money Brim. He came to Sulphur Springs as a youth in 1910. He was married to Miss Carrie James on June 16, 1912, and was admitted to the bar and began the practice of law in Sulphur Springs in 1916. He became associated with Claude Sheppard and later became a member of the Dial, Melson, Davidson and Brim law firm. Immediate survivors include his wife, two daughters, Mrs. Ben Dildy, Sulphur Springs, and Mrs. Robert Denhardt, Arbuckle, California, and a son, J. K. Brim, Jr., of Houston. Four sisters, Mrs. Maggie Burk, Mrs. Stella Barthol, and Mrs. Theta Parker, all of Denton, and Mrs. Mable Mullins, Brownfield; one brother, Edd Brim of Seattle, Washington, and six grandchildren also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at First Baptist Church at 10 a.m., Friday, with the pastor, Rev. Joe Weldon Bailey, officiating. Interment will follow in the City Cemetery. Active pallbearers named include R. E. Pratt, Bill Tyler, Jimmie D. Spence, Carl Stirling, Howard Hicks, B. F. Ashcroft, Enos L. Ashcroft, Dr. Hodge Sellers, Weber Fouts, and Grover Sellers. Honorary pallbearers named include Jack Byrd, George Prim, W. W. Jones, Lawrence Bergin, Joe Tom Wood, Huel Bridges, William Cantreel of Greenville, Dr. Byrd Longino, J. Boggs, Cecil Ward, W. W. Jones, Jr., Ted Bagby, Herbert Arnold of Dallas, Gen. Ernest O. Thomas of Austin, Hon, Sam Rayburn of Bonham, Hon. Wright Patman of Texarkana, W. Z. Kitts, W. B. Kitts, A. G. (Pat) Mays of Paris, and Dr. Steve Longino. Dr. Joe Longino, Chester L. May of Dallas, Johnny Long, the Rotary Club of Sulphur Springs, Percy Tate, Gen. Miller Ainsworth of Luling, Eric Bagwell, Jerome Bagwell, W. A. Burford, W. J. Harris, member of the Hopkins County Bar Association, Abel Pate, J. Rod Johnson, Devoe Carter, Lewis Ardis, Leon Leggett, Wade Scott, Durmont Foster, Paul Faulk, Johnnie Biggerstaff and Henry McGrade. Tapp Funeral Home is in charge of arrangemtnt. (Paper dated August 14, 1952)