Longtime JP Halter dies

A man who served Jefferson County for 25 years as a justice of the peace was mourned this week.

Retired Justice of the Peace Arthur E. Halter Sr. of Groves died Sunday, April 8, 2007. He was 71.

Halter was born in Florida, but grew up in Sabine Pass which became his home for more than 50 years. He graduated from Sabine Pass High School in 1955 and was a union painter for 25 years. In 1970, he was elected as JP for Precinct 3 in Sabine Pass, where he served for six terms.

Precinct 3 was redrawn in 1994, and Halter was defeated in the Democratic primary to Bill Bartie for the newly created precinct. But he was appointed as JP the following year to finish the term of Ronald Benoit in Precinct 4 in Hamshire.

Halter was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Groves, Santa Maria Council of the Knights of Columbus, former member Dick Dowling Lions Club, Sabine Pass Water Board, Jefferson County Emergency Management and was a Little League manager.

He is survived by one son, four daughters, 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Halter was entombed at the mausoleum at Greenlawn Memorial Park.