e-mail   murphy@murphymartin.com

Murphy Martin Commentary
April 20, 2006

 "The Tallest Pine is Gone"

In 1896 a man opened a saw-mill operation in deep East Texas ten-miles south of Lufkin. It was slightly above average for a lumber operation of those days but like most others it depended on the huge pine forests of that region for it's production. In 1948, after beginning as a book-keeper in the company, the grand-son of the founder became executive vice-president. In 1951, the grandson became president and chief executive and the name TEMPLE became known throughout America and most parts of the world.

The grand-father that founded Southern Pine Lumber Company in Diboll, Texas was T.L.L. Temple. The grandson who became CEO was Arthur Temple, Jr. who would become the tallest pine in the forests through Temple Industries, Temple-Eastex and later through what is today known as Temple-Inland. Under a half-century of his guidance, Temple took a well-run saw-mill operation and built it into a Fortune 500 company with giant holdings in lumber production from massive company-owned forest acreage; banking; and, diversified investments throughout the business world.

As successful as Arthur Temple, Jr. was in the business world that saw him rise to Vice-Chairman of Time-Life Corporation, perhaps his best accomplishments came from what he did for people. His reputation for impeccable integrity, fairness, and justice were paramount in his thinking. He promoted civil rights for all his employees years before it became a national issue.

The T.L.L. Temple Foundation, which was founded by Arthur Temple, Jr. with assets reportedly in the hundreds of millions of dollars, has helped build Hospitals, Libraries, Civic Centers, History Centers, provide medical research, build Alzheimer's facilities, provide scholarships , and thousands of grants that reportedly have already given more than 200-million-dollars in gifts. The work of this foundation ranks among the top tier of those that help others.

Temple served on many Boards including the Board of Regents of Lamar University; National Park Foundation in Washington, D.C., Texas Foundation for Higher Education; various banks and financial institutions. He held an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Pepperdine University. He was named East Texan of the Century and to the Texas Forestry Hall of Fame. He was named Visionary of the Century by Texas Monthly and was a co-founder of Southland Paper Mills, the first plant making newsprint from southern pine in the southwest.

One of Arthur Temple's favorite sayings was: "Do it right, but do it right now!"
Temple was not a complicated man. A beloved father and grandfather who believed in hard work and helping those in need.

After losing his second wife of 39-years four years ago, Temple married the
widow of a lifelong friend last Thanksgiving weekend. They were all set to move into their new home in Crown Colony Golf Resort, another Temple development in Lufkin, last week. He celebrated his 86th birthday on Saturday. He and his bride of
nearly five-months went to church on Sunday, then lunch at the club and then he settled in his easy chair in a Crown Colony Condo to watch the Master's Golf final.

Arthur Temple, Jr. fell asleep and suffered a massive heart attack while sleeping. He was taken to East Texas Memorial Hospital in a deep coma. He died on Wednesday in that facility...still another he had helped build.

This giant of truth, honesty, justice, and integrity and concern for all people is
no more!

The TALLEST pine in the forest has fallen!

Arthur Temple, Jr. is gone----but he will never be forgotten!

Thank you my friend---for everything!
 

Murphy Martin

Keep your comments coming!  murphy@murphymartin.com

Your thoughts and comments forwarded to my website will be appreciated.

e-mail   murphy@murphymartin.com

Previous commentaries:
"Keeping America Free"
"Remembering"
"Christians vs Muslims"
"Bush Bucks Bashing"
"Early Look at 2008"
"Contrasting Memories"
"Reporter's Rough Roads"
"Another Cowboys Loss"
"People, Places and Things"
"Super Bowl Wasn't So Super"
"State of the Union"
"Is God Dead in Europe?"
"Remembering Dr. King"
"This Week in Review"
"New Year, New Challenges"
"The Party's Over"
"Democracy in the Middle East"
"Unfinished Business"
"Merry Christmas Rules"
"Bush Unveils Plans"
"Today is Special"
"Border Security Now!!!"
"Stupidity Loses Financing"
"Crisis Christians"
"They Led the Way"
"Sadistic Saddam Hussein"
"Bourbon Street Bashing"
"Hurricane Aftermath"
"Standing Tall"
"Never a Dull Moment"
"Another Hero Laid to Rest"
"Blame Game"
"Senior Thoughts For the Young"
"Role Model Challenge"
August 18 - "Network News Anchors"
August 11 - "Now All Three Are Gone"
August 4 - "Trust in the Media"
July 28 - "Television Then and Now"
July 21 -  "The Mick"
July 14 - "Forty Years and Counting"