84R20103 BPG-D
By: Simpson H.R. No. 1742
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The 100th birthday of an esteemed Texan is indeed a
special occasion, and retired teacher C. C. Turner of Longview is
celebrating this momentous milestone in his life on May 9, 2015, to
the delight of his family, friends, and former students; and
WHEREAS, Born in Pritchett in 1915 to parents who were
farmers, Cleo C. Turner attended a number of different schools
while growing up; he graduated from the 10th grade in Glenwood as
salutatorian of his class and then completed high school in Gilmer,
staying in an auditorium dressing room with several other boys on
weeknights and traveling home on the weekends; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Turner received his associate's degree from the
College of Marshall and began his career in a small school in
Independence Springs, where he was both one of two teachers and the
principal; subsequently, he taught at West Mountain Elementary
School and Harmony Consolidated School; during the summers, he
waited tables at Baylor University while earning his bachelor's
degree, and he later attained a master's degree at East Texas State
University; and
WHEREAS, In 1942, Mr. Turner enlisted in the United States
Army Air Forces and was assigned to the Weather Service; he was
stationed in England, where he created maps for use by fighter
pilots, and he was also posted to Missouri, Oklahoma, Washington,
D.C., and finally Montgomery, Alabama, where he married his Texas
sweetheart, Eva Mae Raynes; the couple became the parents of three
children, Merrilyn, Linda, and Jerry, and they shared a fulfilling
relationship of 57 years before Mrs. Turner's passing in 2000; and
WHEREAS, C. C. Turner joined the faculty at Longview High
School in 1946; over the years, he won the enduring respect and
affection of countless students through his kindness, patience, and
ability to help them grasp and retain difficult concepts in
mathematics; he also became the district's first driver's education
instructor, a role in which his calm demeanor was a distinct
advantage; in addition, he taught classes at the Longview campus of
Kilgore College and at Trinity Day School; many of his students went
on to become teachers themselves; and
WHEREAS, A pillar of his community, Mr. Turner was named
Educator of the Year by the Longview Civitans, and he was selected
as 1978 Longview Teacher of the Year by his colleagues; moreover,
the city proclaimed May 22 as C. C. Turner Day in both 1984 and 1987,
under two different mayors, and he was accorded the Rotary Citizen
of the Year award in 1984; and
WHEREAS, In his later years, Mr. Turner has continued to
serve as a role model with his active lifestyle, participation in
church functions, and attendance at numerous class reunions, always
impeccably attired; he is a source of wisdom and inspiration to all,
and it is truly a pleasure to honor him for having joined an elite
group of Texans who can look back on 100 years of meaningful
achievements; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate C. C. Turner on his 100th birthday
and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued happiness; and,
be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Turner as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.