Robert “Ozzy” Bokan, 47, died Tuesday, April 21, 2009, in a car accident on Highway 17 just north of Houston.
He was born Oct. 6, 1961, in Centreville, Ill., son of Richard Bokan and Nora Jane Williams Bokan.
He grew up in the Caseyville/Collinsville, Ill., area. He attended Morrison Elementary School in East St. Louis and Cahokia High School in Cahokia, Ill. While in school he won a first-place rating for singing in the state competition. He had several trophies in karate and earned a brown belt.
He had moved to Houston in 1987 and worked as a craftsman carpet and tile layer.
He enjoyed watching NASCAR and football. He liked the outdoors, especially fishing or playing golf, searching for arrowheads and going to yard sales. He liked music and playing chess.
He had a dog named Lucy and enjoyed cakes and cookies made by his nieces and sisters.
He was a prankster, including drag racing his sister’s mini-bike through his mother’s kitchen and putting loose brickets from the front porch together with scotch tape for a Boy Scout project. He enjoyed “dumpster diving” as well.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Billy Bokan.
Survivors include a brother, Patrick of Solo; three sisters, Susan Clinton of Cabool, Bonnie Bleckler of Raymondville and Lisa Caswell of Houston; and many nieces and nephews.
A family and friend visitation was Friday, April 24, at Evans Funeral Home Chapel. Cremation followed visitation.
Memorials may be made to the Robert Ozzy Bokan Memorial Fund c/o Evans Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent to www.evansfh.com.
