ENROLLED
2017 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 70
BY REPRESENTATIVE DUSTIN MILLER
A RESOLUTION
To express the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of the Reverend
John Ezekiel Claiborne of Opelousas.
WHEREAS, the members of the House of Representatives were saddened to learn
of the transition on April 18, 2017, from Earth to Glory of the Reverend John Ezekiel
Claiborne of Opelousas; he was ninety-one years old; and
WHEREAS, John Claiborne answered the call to duty of his country and served in
the United States Army; he was qualified as a sharpshooter and was decorated with an
EAME campaign ribbon with 1 Bronze Star, an Asiatic Pacific campaign ribbon, a Good
Conduct medal, a Victory ribbon, and two Overseas service bars; Private First Class
Claiborne served in the Rhineland Campaign, known as the Battle of the Bulge; he was
honorably discharged from his military duties on March 13, 1946; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Claiborne received a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from
Southern University and A&M College, a master's degree in education from Prairie View
A&M University, and plus thirty hours from the University of Southwestern Louisiana in
Lafayette; and
WHEREAS, John Claiborne received U.S. patent number 3,250,652 for "Exothermic
Composition Containing Zinc and Ammonia Chloride" on May 10, 1966; he was a member
of Frontier's International Association, St. Landry Parish Retired Teachers' Association, and
the National Rifle Association; and
WHEREAS, for more than thirty years, John Claiborne taught math, science, and
special education in the St. Landry Parish public school system; he was also a basketball
coach; and
WHEREAS, passion for the Word of God led to his call to the ministry; the Reverend
Claiborne was a member of Born Again To Live Church of Opelousas, and he loved
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ministering to the youth in his sphere of influence; the Reverend Claiborne also enjoyed
gardening and was an avid collector; and
WHEREAS, the eternal departure of the Reverend John Claiborne will leave a void
in the hearts and minds of those who knew and loved him, but memories of good times
shared with him will be cherished forever by his wife of sixty-three years, Catherine Savant
Claiborne; his sons, John Claiborne II, and his wife Connie, Jarvis Claiborne, and his wife
Christina, and Tony Claiborne, and his wife Tracy; his daughters, Cathleen and Cynthia
Claiborne, Cathy, and her husband Matoteng Ncube, Parthenia, and her husband Gregory
Antoine, and Carla, and her husband Jerome Bradford; his son by spiritual adoption, Sebie
Dayon; his sixteen grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and extended family and friends;
may those who miss his presence find comfort in Revelations 14:13, "Blessed are the dead
who die in the Lord ... they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby extend deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies
to the family and friends of the Reverend John Claiborne; does hereby express sorrow at the
passing of this gentleman who admirably served his country and his community; and does
hereby offer prayers for peace and comfort to those who mourn.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to Catherine Claiborne.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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