H.R. No. 1907
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Memories of a life well lived may help to comfort
those saddened by the passing of Cecil V. Young of Bowie on March
24, 2017, at the age of 97; and
WHEREAS, "Cy" Young was born in Bowie on October 2, 1919;
following his graduation from Bowie High School, he attended
Abilene Christian University on the school's first full-ride
football and academic scholarship and received a bachelor's degree
in 1941; he worked as a coach at Saint Jo High School, but following
the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the United States Navy;
and
WHEREAS, After completing boot camp in Virginia, Mr. Young
was sent to North Africa, where he was attached to the Allied Force
Headquarters in Algiers; promoted to the rank of lieutenant, he
returned stateside to complete additional training in New York and
California; he was then assigned to the USS Carteret, an attack
transport ship, as a boat officer and was deployed in January 1945
to the Pacific theater, where the Carteret landed troops and
equipment during the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa; and
WHEREAS, Putting the G.I. Bill to good use, Mr. Young
enrolled in graduate school at The University of Texas at Austin,
and he went on to complete a master's degree at the University of
North Texas in 1952; he resumed his career as a coach and teacher,
serving at schools in Highland Park, Dallas, Graham, and Decatur;
over the years, he distinguished himself as founder and president
of the Bowie Educational Foundation, as president and legislative
chair of the Montague County Retired Teachers Association, and as
chair of the Texas High School Coaches Association, and he also
created what is thought to be the longest continuously running
track meet in the state, the Possum Kingdom Relays; and
WHEREAS, In 1991, this proud veteran established the Iwo Jima
Survivors Association of Texas, which hosted annual reunions for
those who fought in that epic battle; he recounted his war
experiences in the award-winning documentary Uncommon Valor: The
Battle of Iwo Jima; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Young and his first wife, the former Evelyn
Cohron, shared a rewarding marriage that spanned more than a
quarter century, before her passing in 1973; fortunate enough to
find love again, he was joined in matrimony to the former Estelle
Donald in 1981; he took immense pride in his three children, Randy,
Jan, and Kay, and his life was further enriched by his grandchildren
and great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Cy Young was devoted to his family, his community,
and his nation, and he will forever hold a special place in the
hearts of all who had the privilege to know him; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Cecil V. Young and
extend sincere condolences to all those who mourn his passing; and,
be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Cy Young.
Springer
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1907 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 12, 2017.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House