Arlington 4th Of July Association

2004 Grand Marshall Honoree

Posted on | May 21, 2004 | Comments Off

STAR-TELEGRAM ARCHIVES
Dean Corey, who died in 2001, will be honored at the Fourth of July Parade this year. His wife, Becky Corey, and Jane Ellis will be the grand marshals.

Fourth of July Parade grand marshals set.

By Angie Summers

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

ARLINGTON – Two residents with a history of musical contributions in the community will lead the Independence Day parade as grand marshals.

Jane Ellis and Becky Corey were named grand marshals last night during an Arlington Fourth of July Parade Association meeting at the George W. Hawkes Central Library.

The 39th annual Fourth of July Parade, with a theme of “Of Thee We Sing,” is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. July 3 in downtown Arlington.

“Our grand marshals are two people who dedicated a large portion of their life to music in our community,” said Brett Bell, association president. “We choose people each year who reflect the dedication of our theme.”

Ellis started her education career as an elementary school music teacher before moving to Arlington in 1949. Because there weren’t enough choir students for a full-time director, she also had to teach physical education. She directed the Arlington High School Choraliers for 25 years before becoming a vice principal at Bowie High School in 1975. Ellis Elementary School, which opened in 1989, is named in her honor.

“It’s a wonderful honor. What is so splendid is that Arlington, itself, has been so supportive of a musical program that started with just one high school,” Ellis said. “Every school is now filled with talented children who have knowledge and appreciation for something so beautiful.”

Corey will represent her husband, Dean Corey, who died in September 2001 at the age of 83. Dean Corey, a Cincinnati native, came to the district in 1949 and retired in 1980 after serving 23 years as Arlington High School band director and eight years as the district’s first coordinator of music education. Corey Elementary School, which opened in 1984, is named in his honor.

“I’m so proud to represent Dean. He was always so interested in the parade,” Becky Corey said. “He always rode in the school district’s parade entry until they passed City Hall. He would then get out, take his flute and join the Arlington Community Band to perform with them. He loved to be with musicians. It was the joy of his life.”

Last year, the parade had 150 entries with more than 4,000 participants and drew 40,000 spectators. It is funded by private money raised by parade organizers.

This year’s winning T-shirt design was created by Sam Houston High School student Joshua Perez. The T-shirts, which will cost from $5 for small T-shirts to $12 for extra-large ones, are available by calling (817) 561-2924 or sending e-mail to texfalls@comcast.net. They will also be available during the association’s next meeting, scheduled at 7 p.m. June 9 at George W. Hawkes Central Library, 101 E. Abram St.

For more information about the parade, call (817) 303-5700.

ONLINE: Parade participants, sponsors, the route and other information are available at arlington4th.org.
Angie Summers, (817) 548-5405

 

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