S.A. "Tex" Brett
Oct. 31, 1920-Dec. 26, 1998
Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, December 30, 1998, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library
Funeral services for S.A. "Tex" Brett, 78, 915 Cedar Street, Niles, will be Monday at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, by St. Joseph Valley Lodge No. 4 F. and A.M.
Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
Brett died Saturday at 11:45 a.m at Lakeland Continuing Care Center, Berrien Center, following an extended illness.
He was born Oct. 31, 1920 in London, Texas. He had lived here since 1964, coming from Three Rivers.
On June 11, 1952, in Crown Point, Ind., he married the former Zelda M. Godrey, who survives.
Brett retired in 1990 as Manager of City of Niles Board of Public Works after 27 years.
He had a B.S. degree from Anderson College and a B.S. degree from Purdue University in Electrical Engineering.
Brett was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Army.
He was a life member and twice served as president of the Michigan Municipal Electrical Association.
Brett initiated electrical co-oping with other municipalities providing electricity (eventually Indiana and Michigan Municipal Distributors Association).
Twenty years ago, he began using space cable (i.e. able to withstand weight loads) in the City of Niles.
He was also instrumental in providing a double loop system capable of reversing electrical flow to minimize power outages in a geographic area.
Brett successfully assisted the city of Niles in a multi-million dollar litigation settlement against another power provided.
He was a member of the National Professional Engineering Society and the National Society of Electrical Engineers.
Brett was also a member of St. Joseph Valley Lodge No. 4, K-12 Knights Templar, Blue Lodge, Niles shrine Club, Saladin Shrine Club of Grand Rapids, and American Legion Headquarters Post No. 225, Indianapolis, Ind.
Surviving family also includes three daughters, Linda Brett of Sierra Vista, Ariz., Dawn Rowden of Bisbee, Ariz., and Susan Philips of Niles; a son, Richard Brett of Mishawaka, Ind.; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Friends may call Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m at Halbritter Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Wesley Untied Methodist Church, Niles.