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Memorial Resolutions

Ottis Lock

WHEREAS, Mr. Ottis Lock, a native of Angelina County, served East Texas as a teacher of history in various capacities in public school classrooms and as a maker of Texas history as a member of the Texas legislature and chairman of the Texas Department of Public Safety and other state agencies; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Lock helped the East Texas region through economic development, especially in the capacity of senior vice president of Southland Paper Mills, Inc., of Lufkin; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Lock maintained a strong interest in the history, heritage, and folklore of East Texas, evidenced by his service as a trustee of the Southland Paper Mills Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Lock permitted the establishment in 1984 of an endowment named in his honor and entrusted to the East Texas Historical Association to provide annual awards to honor Excellence in Teaching in East Texas at the Secondary, Two-Year, and Four-Year collegiate levels, Excellence in writing East Texas history, research grants, and scholarships for qualified candidates attending institutions of higher education located in East Texas; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Lock was honored by significant donations to the Lock Endowment from friends, he quietly provided over two-thirds of the funds for the Endowment; and

WHEREAS, The Ottis Lock Endowment, over a period of fourteen years, has expended over $43,000 in twenty-one scholarships, forty-one teaching awards, twenty-six writing awards, and thirty-two research grants; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Lock provided funds for the first symposium sponsored by the East Texas Historical Association in 1994, a symposium that celebrated the tradition of Sacred Harp music; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Lock departed this life on August 15, 1998,

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Officers, Board of Directors, and Membership of the East Texas Historical Association, in sadness but in celebration of a life of service to East Texas, takes note of Mr. Lock's passing, gives thanks for his considerable and measurable service, and expresses its concern for Mr. Lock's family;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be provided to Mr. Lock's long-time friend, Mr. Bob Bowman of Lufkin, with the request that it be presented to Mr. Lock's family on an appropriate occasion so they may be assured of our continuing gratitude and respect.

ADOPTED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT ON SEPTEMBER 24, 1998.

James V. Reese, President, 1997-1998

Archie P. McDonald, Executive Director