By Price H.R. No. 347 74R7149 BNL-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The many friends and family of Clifton J. Ozen, Sr., 1-2 suffered a great loss with the passing of this beloved gentleman on 1-3 February 13, 1995, at the age of 71; and 1-4 WHEREAS, A native Texan and a lifelong resident of the 1-5 Beaumont-Port Arthur area, Mr. Ozen was born in Port Arthur on June 1-6 30, 1923; after graduating from Hebert High School in 1941, he 1-7 continued his education at Texas College in Tyler and earned a 1-8 bachelor of arts degree from that institution in 1949; and 1-9 WHEREAS, He then returned to his high school alma mater to 1-10 begin his long and distinguished career as an educator; for more 1-11 than 25 years he served as both a teacher and a coach for Hebert 1-12 High School, and during this time, he enrolled at Texas Southern 1-13 University in Houston to pursue his master of arts degree, which he 1-14 was awarded in 1962; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Mr. Ozen later served as an assistant principal at 1-16 Hebert High School and West Brook High School, where he worked 1-17 tirelessly to prepare students for the challenges of the future; 1-18 the principles of discipline and motivation that he sought to 1-19 instill in students were drawn from his experience as a coach, and 1-20 his exemplary coaching record stands as a testament to the 1-21 soundness of his approach; and 1-22 WHEREAS, In his 16-year tenure as head football coach for 1-23 Hebert High School, he coached his team to a remarkable record of 1-24 147 wins, 30 losses, and four ties; this outstanding coach also led 2-1 the school to state championship titles in 1959 and 1966, and 10 of 2-2 his athletes went on to play football at the professional level; 2-3 and 2-4 WHEREAS, Yet more important than the victories he accrued 2-5 were the students whose lives were changed by his guidance and 2-6 inspiration, and in his 36 years in the field of education, Clifton 2-7 J. Ozen undoubtedly made a profound impact on countless students 2-8 and players; his dedication and leadership can never be replaced, 2-9 but his unique spirit will live on in the hearts of the many people 2-10 whose lives he touched; now, therefore, be it 2-11 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-12 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Clifton J. Ozen, Sr., 2-13 and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his 2-14 wife, Eloise Ozen; to his daughters and sons-in-law, Janice and 2-15 Leroy Beck, Judy and Jesse Harrison, and Brenda McCoy; to his sons 2-16 and daughters-in-law, Clifton "Kip" Ozen, Oneal Ozen, Joseph 2-17 "Coach" Simpson, Linda Ozen, and Brenda Ozen; to his sister, 2-18 Victoria Crawford; to his grandchildren, Shawn, Leroy, Sharla, 2-19 LaToya, Tanika, Mesha, Jermaine, Charmaine, Christopher, Kelli, 2-20 Jessica, Tina, and Stacy; to his great-grandchildren, Devin and 2-21 Diamonde; and to his aunts, Adlene Tibbs and Gertie Cross; and, be 2-22 it further 2-23 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-24 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 2-25 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 2-26 Clifton J. Ozen, Sr.