R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The recent passing of Dr. Oscar D. Yancey on
1-2 February 7, 1997, at the age of 66, has brought a great loss to the
1-3 many friends, relatives, and students of this man, who was one of
1-4 Corpus Christi's most esteemed music educators and scholars; and
1-5 WHEREAS, A native of Memphis, Tennessee, he was born October
1-6 4, 1930; after earning a bachelor of science degree from Memphis
1-7 State University in 1952, Dr. Yancey joined the United States Navy
1-8 and was accepted into the Naval School of Music, performing with
1-9 the Navy band of the USS Hornet during its only world tour; and
1-10 WHEREAS, On completion of his military service, Dr. Yancey
1-11 continued to pursue his love for music, earning a master of music
1-12 degree with a performer's certificate from prestigious Indiana
1-13 University in 1958; he went on to teach at Kansas Wesleyan
1-14 University for several years before culminating his studies with a
1-15 doctorate in music from his graduate alma mater; and
1-16 WHEREAS, In 1969 Dr. Yancey moved to Corpus Christi to join
1-17 the faculty of the renowned music department at Del Mar College,
1-18 where for more than 20 years as a professor of music, he taught
1-19 piano, music literature, and humanities and served as music
1-20 librarian until his retirement; and
1-21 WHEREAS, During his distinguished career, he earned
1-22 widespread acclaim for his great artistry as a soloist on both the
1-23 piano and the harpsichord, and in performances he was known to
1-24 display a daring and exciting flair for improvisation; he also
2-1 collaborated with many fine musicians in memorable ensemble
2-2 performances, and he played the double bass with several
2-3 orchestras, including the Corpus Christi Symphony; and
2-4 WHEREAS, In the course of his career, Dr. Yancey helped to
2-5 instill a love and appreciation of fine music in many Corpus
2-6 Christi youth; as a teacher of piano, he enhanced the natural
2-7 abilities of his students by drawing on the legacy of musical
2-8 understanding and sensitivity handed down to him by the great
2-9 teachers of his day; his patience, understanding, and willingness
2-10 to spend extra time with his students were among his greatest
2-11 qualities; and
2-12 WHEREAS, Deeply committed to keeping classical music alive in
2-13 the Coastal Bend area, Dr. Yancey, despite his professional
2-14 commitments, gave freely of his time as a board member of the
2-15 Corpus Christi Chamber Music Society, as a member of the Music
2-16 Teachers National Association, and as an instructor at piano camps
2-17 for children of all ages; and
2-18 WHEREAS, A man of gentle demeanor, great warmth, and keen
2-19 intelligence, Dr. Yancey was loved and respected by all who had the
2-20 privilege to share the music and friendship of this remarkable
2-21 individual; though his presence will be deeply missed, his memory
2-22 will long endure in the hearts of those whose lives he touched
2-23 during his time on this earth; now, therefore, be it
2-24 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas
2-25 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Dr. Oscar D. Yancey
2-26 and extend heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends: to his
2-27 half-brother, Roy L. Dalton of Saucier, Mississippi; to his nieces
3-1 and nephews; and to all the relatives, friends, colleagues, and
3-2 students of this beloved man; and, be it further
3-3 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-4 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
3-5 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-6 Dr. Oscar D. Yancey.
Berlanga
Laney Gutierrez Oliveira
Alexander Haggerty Olivo
Allen Hamric Palmer
Alvarado Hartnett Patterson
Averitt Hawley Pickett
Bailey Heflin Pitts
Berlanga Hernandez Place
Bonnen Hightower Price
Bosse Hilbert Puente
Brimer Hilderbran Rabuck
Burnam Hill Ramsay
Carter Hinojosa Rangel
Chavez Hirschi Raymond
Chisum Hochberg Reyna of Bexar
Christian Hodge Reyna of Dallas
Clark Holzheauser Rhodes
Coleman Horn Rodriguez
Cook Howard Roman
Corte Hunter Sadler
Counts Hupp Seaman
Crabb Isett Serna
Craddick Jackson Shields
Cuellar Janek Siebert
Culberson Jones of Lubbock Smith
Danburg Jones of Dallas Smithee
Davila Junell Solis
Davis Kamel Solomons
Delisi Keel Staples
Denny Keffer Stiles
Driver King Swinford
Dukes Krusee Talton
Dunnam Kubiak Telford
Dutton Kuempel Thompson
Edwards Lewis of Tarrant Tillery
Ehrhardt Lewis of Orange Torres
Eiland Longoria Turner of Coleman
Elkins Luna Turner of Harris
Farrar McCall Uher
Finnell McClendon Van de Putte
Flores McReynolds Walker
Gallego Madden West
Galloway Marchant Williams
Garcia Maxey Williamson
Giddings Merritt Wilson
Glaze Moffat Wise
Goodman Moreno Wohlgemuth
Goolsby Mowery Wolens
Gray Naishtat Woolley
Greenberg Nixon Yarbrough
Grusendorf Oakley Zbranek
_______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1287 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 30, 1997.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House