TITLE: In memory of John E. Codwell Jr.

SUMMARY: In memory of John E. Codwell Jr.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, A full and productive life drew to a close with the passing of John Elihue Codwell Jr. on August 14, 2017; and WHEREAS, The only child of educators Vera Codwell and John Elihue Codwell Sr., John Codwell was born in the Fourth Ward in Houston in 1933 and moved to the Fifth Ward when he was in elementary school; he attended Phillis Wheatley High School and graduated third in the Class of 1950, with both academic and athletic honors; seeking opportunities not available in segregation-era Texas, he chose to enroll in his father's alma mater, the University of Michigan, where he earned three varsity letters; he became the school's first African American basketball player when he made the freshman team, and he went on to play at the varsity level and made the All-Big Ten team as an honorable mention; a member of the Reserve Officer Training Corps, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force after graduation; he served at Ellington Air Force Base as a navigator and instructor and attained the rank of first lieutenant; and WHEREAS, Mr. Codwell earned his master's degree from Wayne State University, and he was employed by the Detroit school district for 27 years; he rose to become superintendent of support services with responsibility for managing the district's security forces, student busing services, and lunch and food services program; following his retirement from the district, he joined the municipal government, and he was appointed executive director of the Detroit Public Housing Authority; he was inducted into Sigma Pi Phi, which honors accomplished African American college graduates and professionals, and he belonged to Iota Boul  in Detroit and later Nu Boul  in Houston; in 2013, he was inducted as a Phillis Wheatley High School Alumni Wall of Fame honoree; and WHEREAS, Devoted to his family, Mr. Codwell shared a fulfilling marriage with Evelyn Bernette Reid Codwell that spanned nearly three decades before her passing in 1985; he took great pride in his two children, Carolyn Elaine Codwell and John Elihue Codwell III, and his three grandchildren, Austin, Reid, and John; and WHEREAS, While the death of John Codwell Jr. brings great sadness to his family and friends, he leaves behind a legacy that will long be treasured by all those who held him dear; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of John E. Codwell Jr. and extend sincere sympathy to his loved ones; 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 John E. Codwell Jr. Dutton Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 517 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on August 15, 2017. Chief Clerk of the House