Emmett Holman Whitehead

WHITEHEAD, EMMETT HOLMAN (1925 ~ 2002). The following is an obituary for former Texas House Member Emmett Whitehead. The obituary was originally published Texas Press Association's Messenger Online. White is honored with a cenotaph at the State Cemetery, he is buried in Rusk, Texas.

Emmett Holman Whitehead, member, Texas House of Representatives and Cherokee County official, was born on October 9, 1925, in Cisco, Texas, to Emmett H., Sr. and Tommie Cole Whitehead.

A longtime newspaper publisher, Whitehead purchased the "Rusk Cherokeean" in 1950, at age 24. He later established radio stations KTLU and KWRW and purchased E-Z Vision Cable Company and the "Alto Herald." In 1998, the Texas Press Association awarded him the Golden 50 Award for his 50 years of service in the newspaper industry.

Not limiting himself to newspapers, Whitehead also served his community. He was president of the Chamber of Commerce, mayor of Rusk for 14 years, county judge for four years, and a member of the Texas House of Representatives for eight years.

Whitehead also worked on behalf of the Rusk State Hospital and helped secure facilities for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and helped establish the Texas State Railroad. He also helped in procuring funds to build a new hospital for the East Texas Regional Health Care System north of Rusk.

Representative Whitehead passed away on August 13, 2002, and was buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Rusk. His family placed a cenotaph, or memorial marker, in his memory in the Texas State Cemetery in Austin.

Whitehead is survived by his wife, Marie, daughters, Dr. Wendee Whitehead and Terrie Gonzalez, and three grandchildren.

Information taken from: obituary, The Daily Sun, August 14, 2002, and the Texas Press Association's Messenger Online obituary at http://www.texaspress.com/messenger/obits0902.htm.