Carlos Bullock, Former Chairperson of The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, Walks On

It is with profound sadness that The Tribal Council of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas must report that Carlos Bullock, former Chairman of the Tribal Council, passed away in his sleep on August 29 ^th . He was 40 years old and lived on the Tribe's Reservation near Livingston, Texas.

Mr. Bullock was first elected to the Tribal Council in 2004, and eventually served as both Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the Council. Further, Mr. Bullock served his Tribe in many additional capacities, including as the Chairman of Tribal Housing Board, the head of the Tribe's Public Information Office and, most recently, as Acting Director of Housing. Regarding his varied service to the Tribe, current Tribal Chairperson Jo Ann Battise stated, "When our people needed someone to come to their aid, no matter what the issue, Carlos could always be counted on. He was far too young to pass and he had too much left to accomplish. His passing is a great loss to our Tribe."

Carlos Lydell Bullock was born on February 5, 1977, the youngest of Genny and Wayne Bullock's two sons. His older brother, Keith, gave him the nickname, "Hi-C," a label that Mr. Bullock happily answered to all his life. He graduated from Tarkington High School in 1995. A gifted student, Mr. Bullock also excelled in sports and played on the Longhorn baseball, basketball and football teams. After graduation, Mr. Bullock initially studied at Baylor University before transferring to Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas. Mr. Bullock received his Associates Arts degree from Haskell in 1999.

Initially remaining in Kansas after graduating from Haskell, Mr. Bullock returned to the Tribe in 2002, drawn by the prospect that his Tribe might improve its economic development opportunities through tribal gaming. "From the time that he returned home, both during his time on Council and otherwise, Carlos worked tirelessly to help our Tribe permanently secure the right to offer gaming," said Ronnie Thomas, Vice-Chairman of the Tribal Council. "He truly believed that gaming would help our Tribe in its drive for self-determination and would help bring jobs and opportunity not only to the Tribe, but for all of Deep East Texas." In that regard, Mr. Bullock spent the better part of the last twelve months traveling throughout east Texas meeting with government and civic leaders to explain how Naskila Gaming, the Tribe's electronic bingo facility, was benefiting the entire region. "To many of Naskila's employees and local community leaders, Carlos was 'Mr. Naskila,'" said Tribal Secretary-Treasurer, Nita Battise.

In addition to his lifelong passion for sports, particularly all things Baylor and softball, Mr. Bullock was a self-trained artist. According to his brother Keith, "Out of nowhere Carlos taught himself to paint, weave, bead and carve, and he produced beautiful art that will always remind us of Carlos."

Visitation will held be from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm on September 2 ^nd and a memorial service will be held on September 3 ^rd . Both events will take place at the Tribe's Multipurpose facility located at 333 State Park Road 56, Livingston, Texas 77351.

Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please sign our online guestbook at www.cochranfh.com