Eugene Ouzts

Eugene was born at Thomasville, Georgia to parents Captain John Travis Ouzts and Livie Mae (Strickland) Ouzts. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary Olive Ouzts. Eugene had a lifelong love of the sea and grew up serving with his father abroad sailing ships. Eugene served with the United States Navy from 1948 to 1953. Afterwards, he attended Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas as a ministerial student, majoring in the Bible, Greek and Hebrew. Eugene was ordained a minister of the Church of Christ in 1956. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree on May 31, 1956 and on the same day, he married Mary Olive Vineyard. He obtained his Masters of Arts in Bible in May of 1957 while Mary taught in Augusta. Deciding to join Mary in teaching, Eugene continued with his education at the University of Arkansas. He also completed post-graduate studies at other institutions including Murray State University (Kentucky); University of Arkansas; University of Arizona; Arizona State University; and Northern Arizona University. Eugene, along with Mary, taught at DeValls Bluff, Arkansas and Curuthersville, Missouri before moving to Greenlee County in Arizona in August 1965. Eugene taught at the Clifton High School until he retired in 1992, primarily as a science teacher. Eugene served as a Student Activities Adviser at the Clifton High School during his tenure. Eugene also taught Biology and World Religions for the Eastern Arizona College. Along with his love of teaching, Eugene preached the Word of Christ in the Arizona communities of Morenci, Clifton, Safford and Duncan. In 1967, Eugene and Mary trained and became private pilots, flying their own Cessna 172. Later they earned their commercial and instrument certificates. This led them to join the Civil Patrol, an Auxiliary of the United States Air Force in 1972. Eugene rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and became the units Chaplain. Eugene also has served as the States CAP Assistant Wing Chaplain. While serving in the CAP, Eugene received the Meritorious Service Award (1994); the Exceptional Service Award (1997); was honored as Arizona Wing Chaplain of the Year (1984); Thomas C. Casaday Unit Chaplain of the Year (1985); Arizona Wing Safety Officer of the Year (1989); Arizona Wing Senior Member of the Year (1994); Southwest Region Senior Member of the Year (1995). For the past few years Eugene also has served as Chaplain for the USS Talladega Reunion Association. Eugene is a life member of the Military Chaplains Association; a life member of the Disabled American Veterans; a life member of the American Legion; a life member of the Air Force Association. He was also a member of the Elks; a member of the Board County Airport Advisory Board in Clifton Arizona. Eugene has been listed in various publications including Whos Who (in the West, in America; in the World; in Medicine and Healthcare) and Life Fellow International Biographical Associations (Cambridge, England) as one of the Outstanding People, Outstanding Scholars, and Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21st Century. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 am Saturday, June 30, 2012 at the Duncan Church of Christ. Viewing will be one hour prior to services at the church.