The City of Brownwood issued the following press release Thursday morning:

It is with profound sadness that the City of Brownwood announces the passing of former Mayor Bert V. Massey, II on November 13, 2024. Bert V. Massey, born in Brownwood, Texas, on October 3, 1943, was a pillar of the community, whose contributions and dedication have left an indelible mark on the city and the great State of Texas.

Mayor Massey graduated from Brownwood High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas in August 1967, followed by a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Texas School of Law in January 1969. He was licensed to practice law in Texas since May 1969, with admissions to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas and the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Professionally, he was a partner in the law firm of Massey & West in Brownwood, focusing on real property law and probate since May 1972. Additionally, he served as President of The Brown County Abstract Company, Inc., and as General Counsel to Independent Title Agents of Texas on Title Insurance matters. Mayor Massey was also a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation.

Mayor Massey’s dedication to his community was evident through his service as a Member of the Brownwood City Council from 1978 to 1984 and as Mayor of the City of Brownwood from 1984 to May 2010. Mayor Massey was the longest serving mayor in the history of Brownwood and had the longest continuous municipal service to the City with a total of 29 years. Mayor Massey was instrumental in countless public infrastructure and quality of life projects. Some of the most visible are the renovations of the Depot Civic and Cultural Center, the construction of the Martin & Francis Lehnis Railroad Museum, the relocation of City Hall to Center Ave., the construction of the Joint Law Enforcement Center, the relocation of the Senior Citizens Center, the construction of the Bert V. Massey, II Sports Complex and the Camp Bowie Family Aquatic Center. Under his leadership, the 2003 Downtown Master Plan was completed which resulted in the Center Avenue streetscape and Pat Coursey Park. In partnership with TxDOT, the Harlow and Monroe overpasses were constructed, and the “Circle” became the “Traffic T” at Hwy. 377 and 84. Mayor Massey led the election and passage of the Type A Economic Development Sales Tax which led to multiple significant economic development projects including the creation of the Brownwood Industrial Park, expansion of Texas State Technical College, and recruitment of the TR Havins Unit, Home Depot, Wal Mart Supercenter, and Chili’s Restaurant. Mayor Massey’s vision for growth spurred him to ensure water certainty by constructing multiple water storage towers and supporting funding for Brown County Water Improvement District (BCWID) water treatment plant upgrades. Mayor Massey’s passion for water continued, as he served as a Director on the BCWID Board from 2021 to the present. Countless public infrastructure projects were completed during his tenure including major improvements to the Airport, Landfill, and Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Beyond his accolades and accomplishments, the City of Brownwood will remember Mayor Massey as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, Brownwood Lions fan, and proud UT alum. Mayor Massey was a legendary storyteller and local history keeper. His knowledge of Brown County land and its inhabitants is unmatched. He could recall a tract of land and its owners by name at a drop of a hat. Mayor Massey was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Brownwood and the Grand Lodge of Texas.

Seldom was Mayor Massey seen without a cigar in the corner of his mouth, a crafty smile, and an easy laugh. His successor, Mayor Stephen Haynes, said of Massey, “To call Mayor Massey the modern founding father of Brownwood is not an understatement. His life and legacy are evident across his hometown, which he served in multiple capacities for 46 years. The accomplishments of the current City Council are built upon the shoulders of our predecessors.”

In addition to his public service as a City Councilman and Mayor, Massey was a member of the Texas Municipal League Board of Directors from 1991 to 1996 and President of the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce from 1980 to 1981. He was President of the Texas Land Title Association (TLTA) from 1981 to 1982 and was honored as TLTA’s “Title Man of the Year” in 1984. Mayor Massey also served as a Director of the American Land Title Association, Chairman of the TLTA Political Action Committee, and was recognized as an Honorary Life Member of the TLTA. He was named “Texas Roadhand” by the Texas Department of Transportation, and he received the “Team Brownwood Distinguished Industrial Service Award” in 1993 and the “Distinguished Industrial Development Award” in April 2003 from the Brownwood Industrial Foundation, Brownwood Economic Development Corporation, and Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce. In 2010, Mayor Massey received the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce Lifetime of Service Award.

The City of Brownwood extends its deepest condolences to the Massey family and honors the memory of a man who dedicated his life to bless his community. We will deeply miss his wisdom and tall tales.