James Luther Lindsey

LINDSEY, JAMES LUTHER (1914~2004) James Luther Jim Lindsey, journalist, civic leader and state official, was born November 19, 1914, in Whitewright, Texas, to Mr. and Mrs. G. L. Lindsey. After graduating as the salutatorian from Whitewright High School in 1933, he attended Texas Technological College, now Texas Tech University, on an honors scholarship. While there, he was elected editor of the campus newspaper, The Toreador, in 1935, and was re-elected in 1937. As editor, The Toreador won All-American honors by the Associated Collegiate Press.

Following his graduation in 1937, Lindsey worked as a reporter, city editor, and managing editor of the San Angelo Standard-Times, but interrupted his career when he enlisted in the Air Force and Army in 1943. Before being sent to Europe, he married Frances Lillian Davenport, of Wichita Falls, on September 13, 1944.

After serving in the European Theater during World War II and following his discharge from the Army in 1946, Lindsey resumed his journalism career when he reported on the Nuremberg War Trials for the Standard-Times and United Press International. Upon his return to Texas in 1946, Lindsey returned to his job as Managing Editor of the San Angelo Standard-Times, but left in 1950, to work as the Assistant Managing Editor of the San Antonio Express. In 1952, he left San Antonio for Midland, where he was the Managing Editor of the Midland Reporter-Telegram.

In 1958, Lindsey received a direct commission as a Major in the United States Army Reserve, where he served as Division Information Officer for the 90th Infantry Division in Austin. After being promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in 1962, he moved to Bryan-College Station, where he worked as the Director of Information and Publications for the Texas A&M University System. During this time, Lindsey also attended the U. S. Army Adjutant Generals School at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, Indiana, and, following his completion in 1963, he was assigned to Chief of Information at the Pentagon. He served in this capacity until 1973.

After leaving Texas A&M in 1978, Lindsey moved to Austin and, in 1983, became associated with the Pedernales Electric Cooperative and worked as a Special Assistant to Texas Land Commissioner Garry Mauro. In 1992, worked as an executive assistant for State Comptroller John Sharp, but left in 1998, where he became a marketing officer for the Heritage Bank in Cedar Park. During this time, he also worked as an administrative assistant in the Texas House of Representatives.

Always active in state politics, Lindsey was appointed to several board and commissions. On January 9, 1957, Governor Allan Shivers appointed him to the Board of Directors of Texas Technological College, a position that he was reappointed to by Governor Price Daniel on August 14, 1959. After his term ended in 1965, Governor Preston Smith, also a Tech graduate, named Lindsey to a seat in the Banking Section of the Texas Finance Commission. He held that position from September 12, 1969, until he resigned on June 30, 1971, when Smith appointed him to the State Banking Board.

Equally active in his community, Lindsey was a member of the First Bank & Trust of Bryan, The Baptist Standard, the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce, and the United Fund, Inc. He was also affiliated with the Texas Press Association, the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors Association, the Associated Press Publishers, the American College Public Relations Association, the Education Writers Association (National), Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Delta Chi, and the Association of the U. S. Army (President of the West Texas Chapter).

Throughout his life and career, Lindsey was recognized with many awards and honors. In 1935 and 1937, he was listed in Whos Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities and, in 1955, received the Texas Baptists for Christian service in the field of journalism award. In 1956, he was given the Texas Salvation Army Service Award and, in 1989, was presented with the Tech Outstanding Mass Communication Alumnus Award.

Jim Lindsey passed away on April 27, 2004, at 89 years of age. He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Frances, and four daughters, Pam Bonner, Debbie Melton, Sherry Lindsey, and Lorinda Hughes, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Information taken from materials provided by Mr. and Mrs. James L. Lindsey and his obituary from the April 29, 2004 edition of the Austin American-Statesman.