Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes Namesakes
was the only vet
in the county. His
first office consisted
of half of a battery
shop behind city
hall. In 1958, Doc
Bryan built his
office on Mineral
Wells Highway
where he still prac-
tices. In his early
days as a vet he
treated all species,
large and small, and
worked eight coun-
ties due to a lack
of vets. He once
boarded a kinka-
jou, a South American honey bear, until the family who
owned him, and were expecting a baby, arranged for him
to have a new home at the Fort Worth Zoo. Dr. Bryan
retired in 2009, but continues to work part-time.
Jerry Blaisdell City
Management Award
14
Jerry Blaisdell
has become a
fixture in Weath-
erford’s municipal
administration and
has proven he is not
afraid to take on a
challenge. After a
23-year career in
law enforcement,
he retired from
the Fort Worth
Police Depart-
ment in 1989. He
was called back
to duty as Weath-
erford PD’s Chief
of Police in July
of that same year. He held that job until 2007 when he
was named assistant city manager. During a particularly
difficult period at City Hall, Blaisdell took the reins as
interim city manager in September 2008 and became
the official holder of that title on Jan. 6, 2009, a title he
held for seven and a half years. Then, on April 30, 2015,
he retired from the City of Weatherford. We will never
forget Chief Blaisdell’s loyal dedication and service to our
community.
Mary Kemp Historical
Preservationist Award
Miss Mary
always knew where
all the bodies were
buried — no, really,
she did. She spent
years catalogu-
ing abandoned
cemeteries in Parker
County and restor-
ing them. Anyone
with a question
about genealogy or
the history of Parker
County could feel
free to call on Miss
Mary, who more
than likely had the
answer. Mary, the
author of several books on local history and characters,
was also the founder of the Abandoned Cemetery Asso-
ciation, a former member of the Parker County Historical
Commission, and organizer and hostess of the annual
Parker County rite of spring, the Shaw-Kemp Open
House.
Parker County said goodbye to Miss Mary last year,
but she won’t be forgotten — not as long as there are
bluebonnets in the fields of Parker County or as long as
the resplendent Parker County Courthouse graces our
historic square.
Jamie Bodiford Benevolent
Powerhouse Award
While building
an impressive career
matching families
with the perfect
home for them,
Jamie Bodiford is
always looking
for ways to make
Parker County even
better.
Jamie Bodiford
became president
of the Weatherford
ISD School Board at
the age of 30. She
is a former elected
member of the
board of the Parker