Reby Cary

Reby Cary (September 9, 1920 – December 7, 2018) was an American educator, politician, and historian in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. He was the first black school board member in Fort Worth and served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1979 to 1985. He was the author of numerous books about the history of African Americans in North Texas.

Biography Early life and education Reby Cary was born September 9, 1920, in Fort Worth, Texas. His father was the Reverend Smith Cary (d. 1969), founder of the Rising Star Baptist Church and native of Jacksonville, Texas. Cary grew up in a strict, religious household and credited his mother with his success, explaining that, "When my friends were out playing marbles, my mother would say, ‘Get back in the house and study.’ If she saw me with my head outside of a book, my behind would soon be on fire. It never changed.” As a child during the Depression, Cary mowed yards to earn money.

Cary received his draft notice in 1942 and enlisted in the United States Coast Guard. He was one of the first African Americans to graduate from the Coast Guard's radioman school in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Cary was assigned to the USS Cambria and served in the Pacific Theater of World War II, including the invasions of Saipan and Okinawa. Cary completed his master's degree in history and political science at Prairie View after his discharge and later undertook postgraduate coursework at North Texas State University and Texas Christian University. In the early 1970s, he led a successful crusade to remove Confederate symbols from the UTA campus

In 1974, Cary launched his political career as the first black school board member elected to the Fort Worth ISD school board. He then served three terms in the Texas House of Representatives, where he was a member of the county affairs, energy, rules and resolutions, budget and oversight, and government organization committees. Though Cary served as a Democrat during his time as a Texas legislator, he became an outspoken supporter of Republican Texas politicians Bill Clements and Phil Gramm. He switched to the Republican Party, citing the white-dominated Democratic Party's poor history with slavery and civil rights. Cary cited local African-American banker and Republican politician William Madison McDonald as a major influence.

Personal life Cary married Nadine Lois Spencer (1921–2003) on May 19, 1945, before the end of World War II. They had one child, Faith, in 1963. He held positions in numerous organizations, including Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, the Youth Services Bureau of Tarrant County, the Fort Worth Minority Leaders and Citizens’ Council, Boy Scouts of America, United Way of Tarrant County, Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce, Tax Appraisal Review Board of Tarrant County, and Trinity Metro. Cary died on December 7, 2018, in Fort Worth, Texas.

Publications Cary is the author of several books about the history of African Americans in Fort Worth and in the military:

Princes shall come out of Egypt, Texas, and Fort Worth (2002) I tried to tell you! : "a wake-up call to blacks & hispanics" : they wouldn't publish it (2004) How we got over! : second update on a backward look : a history of blacks in Fort Worth (2006) Bringing the past into focus : black's sheaves in Fort Worth and the inner city ring (2006) A historic bombshell all wrapped into one, "the Cinderella Kid", my life and times : a history of Blacks in Fort Worth (2008) The way makers : a history of blacks in Fort Worth, Texas & Tarrant County (2009) Carver Heights : where the "best" begins : a roll call of pioneers et al (2010) A step up : the way makers : who did what? a chronicle of Black progress in Fort Worth and Tarrant County (2010) The first and the foremost : a flash-back portfolio of blacks in Fort Worth and Tarrant County (2011) The Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church and its geniture : from the greasy spoon still rising (2011) We've come this far : a 2007 retrospective on blacks in Fort Worth and Tarrant County (2011) Pavers of the way : the panorama of Black Progress in Fort Worth & Tarrant County (2012) Bloodlines : a dynastical history of blacks in Fort Worth and Tarrant County (2013) Born again to win : this is my story, the pilgrim journey of a preacher's kid --continued (2013) Nautical milestones : African Americans in the United States Coast Guard (2014) The historic Christian ministry of black churches in Fort Worth : let the church roll on! (2015) Trophy Lives : black historical icons of Fort Worth (2015) The Hurdlers : historic black icons in Fort Worth and Tarrant County (2016) The Apex : beyond the chains : unchained aspirations of African-Americans in Fort Worth and Tarrant County (2016)