JUDGE F. R. FILES

The following bio was taken from page 200 of the book entitled "Rusk County History" compiled and edited and used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission.

Transcribed by Shirley Koym

Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Cemeteries of Tx

The Honorable Frederick Rimes Files, County Judge of Rusk County from January, 1967 to January 1975, was born to Thomas O. and Bertie McCord Files on October 14, 1910 in Oak Ridge, Louisiana. He was educated in the public schools of Oak Ridge and at Louisiana Tech at Ruston. During his college years he spent summers working in Kilgore for the dual purpose of utilizing his college training and financing further study. It was during one of those sojourns to Kilgore that F. R. and I, Allene, met. I was a summer visitor also, having come from Lubbock to be with my mother, Mrs. Gertrude Carey. My formal education included both public and private schools and Texas Tech at Lubbock.

F. R. and I were married the following year in the First Presbyterian Church of Kilgore, with Dr. Cecil Lang officiating. We always felt fortunate to have had Dr. Lang for our pastor in our early-married life. We had each come from church-centered homes, and he led us into the same useful and rewarding work in our new church. In 1938, our son, Frederick Rimes Files, Jr., was born and our home was complete.

Kilgore was growing, and as a family we enjoyed giving time and effort toward the many civic and cultural endeavors. F. R. worked in numerous phases of the oil industry, always devoting much time and enthusiasm to his job. Eventually he formed his own company, the F. R. Files Transport Company. He continued with this until his entrance into public service.

Patriotism was ever a strong force in our home, and F. R. felt a compelling responsibility for his role as a citizen in a democracy. These feelings, intensified by the encouragement and support of many friends and interested citizens, prompted him to seek public office in 1966. He was elected to the office of County Judge of Rusk County for two four-year terms. Both terms of office were characterized by honesty, integrity, and a sincere desire exemplified by his untiring efforts to fulfill the promise of public service to the people. Citizens of Rusk County continue to reap benefits from his terms of office.

On August 12, 1978 Judge suffered a heart attack. His fight for life ended on August 18, 1978. He is buried in Kilgore Memorial Cemetery.

The legal career of Judge Files continues in the career of our son. F. R., Jr. was educated in the public schools of Kilgore. In 1960, he graduated from Austin College in Sherman and in 1963 received his degree from the Southern Methodist University School of Law. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps for five years, thirteen months of which were in Vietnam, he began his law practice in Tyler.

F. R., Jr. is married to Robyn McChesney, formerly of Gladewater. They have two children - Jennifer, born April 29, 1968, and F. R. III, born May 1, 1979. They are a joy!

Submitted by Allene Files