By Justin Walker
Communications Specialist
The third annual Texas Agricultural Memorial Day recognized Texas farmers and ranchers who dedicated their lives to agriculture.
The event, which took place at the Texas Capitol in Austin on Nov. 19, honored the men and women who lost their lives or were seriously injured as the result of an agricultural-related accident. Additional honorees who passed away to other causes were recognized for their lifelong contributions to agriculture.
This year’s honorees were Jimmy Lee Davis, Fredrick (Fritz) Mueller, Jacob Darren Biar, Wayne Reynolds, William Lloyd Hill, Edward Charles Zoch, James Allen Bishop, Pedro (Pete) Trevino Jr., Mary Cain, George, W. (Tee) Knox, Larry Butler, James Pace, James Harry and Fannie Hitt, Bobby Ray Jackson, J. O. Williams and John F. Davis.
“We have had about 60 honorees in the last three years,” John Paul Dineen III, co-founder of Texas Agriculture Memorial Day, said. “For the families, they are very appreciative of this event because they that their loved one mattered. They mattered to the state. They mattered to the people of Texas.”
The Texas FFA state officer team and Texas 4-H state council also participated in the event, Dineen said, carrying a memorial wreath from the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) office to the Texas Capitol.
The Dineens organized the event with help from TDA and state officials. The Waxahachie family lost their son about 10 years ago in a farm accident.
In addition to recognizing and honoring those lost, Dineen hopes the event promotes farm safety awareness and education.
Details from the Texas Agriculture Memorial Day can be found at www.facebook.com/TexasAgricultureMemorialDay/.