HLS 17RS-1563 ORIGINAL
2017 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 70
BY REPRESENTATIVE DUSTIN MILLER
CONDOLENCES: Expresses condolences on the death of the Reverend John Ezekiel
Claiborne of Opelousas
1 A RESOLUTION
2To express the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of the Reverend
3 John Ezekiel Claiborne of Opelousas.
4 WHEREAS, the members of the House of Representatives were saddened to learn
5of the transition on April 18, 2017, from Earth to Glory of the Reverend John Ezekiel
6Claiborne of Opelousas; he was ninety-one years old; and
7 WHEREAS, John Claiborne answered the call to duty of his country and served in
8the United States Army; he was qualified as a sharpshooter and was decorated with an
9EAME campaign ribbon with 1 Bronze Star, an Asiatic Pacific campaign ribbon, a Good
10Conduct medal, a Victory ribbon, and two Overseas service bars; Private First Class
11Claiborne served in the Rhineland Campaign, known as the Battle of the Bulge; he was
12honorably discharged from his military duties on March 13, 1946; and
13 WHEREAS, Mr. Claiborne received a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from
14Southern University and A&M College, a master's degree in education from Prairie View
15A&M University, and plus thirty hours from the University of Southwestern Louisiana in
16Lafayette; and
17 WHEREAS, John Claiborne received U.S. patent number 3,250,652 for "Exothermic
18Composition Containing Zinc and Ammonia Chloride" on May 10, 1966; he was a member
19of Frontier's International Association, St. Landry Parish Retired Teachers' Association, and
20the National Rifle Association; and
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HR NO. 70
1 WHEREAS, for more than thirty years, John Claiborne taught math, science, and
2special education in the St. Landry Parish public school system; he was also a basketball
3coach; and
4 WHEREAS, passion for the Word of God led to his call to the ministry; the Reverend
5Claiborne was a member of Born Again To Live Church of Opelousas, and he loved
6ministering to the youth in his sphere of influence; the Reverend Claiborne also enjoyed
7gardening and was an avid collector; and
8 WHEREAS, the eternal departure of the Reverend John Claiborne will leave a void
9in the hearts and minds of those who knew and loved him, but memories of good times
10shared with him will be cherished forever by his wife of sixty-three years, Catherine Savant
11Claiborne; his sons, John Claiborne II, and his wife Connie, Jarvis Claiborne, and his wife
12Christina, and Tony Claiborne, and his wife Tracy; his daughters, Cathleen and Cynthia
13Claiborne, Cathy, and her husband Matoteng Ncube, Parthenia, and her husband Gregory
14Antoine, and Carla, and her husband Jerome Bradford; his son by spiritual adoption, Sebie
15Dayon; his sixteen grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and extended family and friends;
16may those who miss his presence find comfort in Revelations 14:13, "Blessed are the dead
17who die in the Lord ... they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."
18 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
19Legislature of Louisiana does hereby extend deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies
20to the family and friends of the Reverend John Claiborne; does hereby express sorrow at the
21passing of this gentleman who admirably served his country and his community; and does
22hereby offer prayers for peace and comfort to those who mourn.
23 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
24to Catherine Claiborne.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 70 Original 2017 Regular Session Dustin Miller
Expresses condolences on the death of Rev. John Claiborne of Opelousas.
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