[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20018]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO JAMES MARK McNATT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOUIE GOHMERT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 13, 2011

  Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. James 
Mark McNatt, a remarkable Texan who died on July 31, 2011. James was 
born in Denton, TX to James Arby and Margaret Revell McNatt and in 1966 
he married the love of his life, Judy Blankenship. James and Judy went 
on to raise three children in Carthage, TX and James was the proud 
grandfather to seven grandchildren.
  As a young man, James served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in 
Germany for two years. In 2007 he retired from East Texas Medical 
Center in Carthage after 25 years of service. James was a respected 
member of the New Life Baptist Church and The Gideons International, 
and was known to have the perfect scripture for any situation.
  James loved his life in Carthage, where he resided for 28 years. All 
three of his children went to Carthage High School, where James and 
Judy could always be found cheering in the stands, working in the 
concession stand, or helping behind the scenes. James never stopped 
being an active community member--whether it was volunteer work or 
running his snowcone stand in the summer. Judy has worked for the local 
radio station for 20 years.
  In 2002, James was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, but he never 
skipped a beat. James and Judy still continued to travel to see the 
grandchildren's dance recitals, cheer competitions, and soccer games 
and visit the Longview Fire Station where his son was a firefighter. 
James adamantly believed a cure for Parkinson's was possible and 
planned for guests of his memorial to make donations to the American 
Parkinson's Disease Association. James also served time on the board of 
the local American Heart Association chapter.
  His family will remember James as a man of faith and perseverance. 
One who made it a priority to have the whole family together, making 
sure the annual White Elephant Gift Exchange was on the calendar and 
one who loved others unconditionally.
  James is survived by his wife for 45 years, Judy McNatt, daughters 
Jennifer Mattingly and husband Chris, Jessica Huff and husband Bill, 
and son (James) Michael McNatt and wife Melinda. He is also survived by 
his grandchildren, Molly and Riley Mattingly; Baylee, Kennedy, Cooper 
and Hadley Huff; and Lani McNatt. In addition, James is survived by 
sisters Fran Ryals, Sissy Frady Hamlin, and brothers Buster McNatt and 
Bill McNatt. Finally, James leaves behind a large host of family and 
special friends throughout Texas and beyond.

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