GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1997

H	1 

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1236

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Sponsors: Representatives Warner; Blue, Hightower, Hurley, Kinney, McAllister, Morris, and Yongue.

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Referred to:  Rules, Calendar & Operations of the House.

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June 18, 1997

A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF CALVIN LEE KOONCE, JR.
Whereas, Calvin Lee Koonce, Jr. was born in Cumberland County, North Carolina on November 18, 1940, and was a native of the Town of Hope Mills; and
Whereas, Calvin Lee Koonce, Jr. graduated from Hope Mills High School in 1959 and attended Campbell College where he earned Junior College All-American Honors in 1961; and
Whereas, because of his outstanding baseball talent,  Calvin Lee Koonce, Jr. was signed by the Chicago Cubs in 1961; and
Whereas, Calvin Lee Koonce, Jr. played the position of pitcher and won 10 games in his Rookie Season with the Cubs in 1962; and
Whereas, in 1967, Calvin Lee Koonce, Jr. joined the New York Mets and played on the 1969 Mets World Championship Team; and
Whereas, in 1971, his last year playing professional baseball, Calvin Lee Koonce, Jr. played for the Boston Red Sox; and
Whereas, after his professional career, Calvin Lee Koonce, Jr. returned to North Carolina where he coached baseball at Fayetteville Academy in 1974, South View High School from 1974 to 1979, Campbell University from 1979 to 1986, and Terry Sanford High School from 1989 to 1991; and
Whereas, Calvin Lee Koonce, Jr. served as general manager of the Fayetteville Generals from 1986 to 1988, and as a scout for the Texas Rangers from 1991 to 1992; and
Whereas, Calvin Lee Koonce, Jr. was inducted into the Campbell University Sports Hall of Fame in 1987; and
Whereas, Calvin Lee Koonce, Jr. was devoted to public service, having served as the Hope Mills Town Manager from 1992 to 1993, as an elected member of the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners, and as Mayor-Pro Tempore; and
Whereas, Calvin Lee Koonce, Jr. was an active member of the Hope Mills Methodist Church, where he served on the Administrative Board; and
Whereas, Calvin Lee Koonce, Jr. died on October 18, 1993; and
Whereas, Calvin Lee Koonce, Jr. is survived by his wife, Peggy Koonce; a son, Chris Koonce; three daughters, Kelly Taylor, Kim Owen, and Kerry Gowan; three grandchildren, Garrett Gowan, John Calvin Owen, and Lynnsey Taylor; his mother, Mary Koonce; a sister, Marilyn Koonce; and two brothers, Charles Koonce and Don Koonce; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
Section 1.  The General Assembly expresses its high regard for the life and service of Calvin Lee Koonce, Jr. and mourns the loss of this distinguished citizen.
Section 2.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Calvin Lee Koonce, Jr.
Section 3.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.