SR0307LRB097 13097 GRL 57603 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of John K. Garrett of Peoria, who passed
4away on August 18, 2011; and
 
5    WHEREAS, John Garrett was born on July 22, 1939, in
6Ottumwa, Iowa; he was the son of Kenneth and Rosalie (Effie)
7Thompson Garrett; he married Margaret C. Scheid on September 3,
81961, in Eureka; and
 
9    WHEREAS, John Garrett earned his bachelor's degree from
10Eureka College in 1961, where he was a member of the Lambda
11Alpha Chi fraternity, student body president, and recipient of
12the Alumni Award of Merit in 1980; he subsequently earned his
13master's degree from Bradley University in 1965 and was awarded
14an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree from Eureka
15College in 1999; and
 
16    WHEREAS, John Garrett spent his career with the Peoria
17public school system, starting as a teacher at Woodrow Wilson
18School in 1962; he then ascended the ranks, becoming principal
19at Northmoor School, head of various administrative positions,
20including Director of Title I programs, and principal at
21Washington Grade School for 20 years; in 1994, he became the
22district's assistant superintendent of schools, where he

 

 

SR0307- 2 -LRB097 13097 GRL 57603 r

1remained until becoming superintendent in 1998; following his
2retirement in 2002, he devoted his time to his family and
3friends and particularly enjoyed his summers at Squaw Lake in
4Minocqua, Wisconsin; and
 
5    WHEREAS, As superintendent, John Garrett brought the
6International Baccalaureate Program to the district,
7implemented in-school health centers, expanded the JROTC
8program to all four high schools, established a fine arts
9preparatory school, implemented the CISCO Academy at Woodruff
10High School, established smaller class sizes within the
11district, and introduced the Edison School partnerships; and
 
12    WHEREAS, John Garrett was a board member of the Eureka
13College Trustees; he was a member and past president of the
14Eureka College Alumni Association; he was a member of the
15Kiwanis Club of Peoria, the Glen Oak Christian Church, and the
16Bradley Braves Club; he also served on the board of directors
17of the Peoria Area Civic Chorale, the Illinois Workforce
18Development Board, the board of the Hult Health Education
19Center, and the board of the Peoria Chamber of Commerce; and
 
20    WHEREAS, John Garrett was acknowledged for his work in
21education through nominations for the Donald M. Phares Award,
22the Illinois State Board of Education Break the Mold Award, and
23the Ray A. Neumann Tri-County Citizen of the Year Award; and
 

 

 

SR0307- 3 -LRB097 13097 GRL 57603 r

1    WHEREAS, John Garrett enjoyed fishing, traveling, eating
2out, and entertaining family and friends; and
 
3    WHEREAS, John Garrett was preceded in death by his wife,
4Margaret; his parents; and his daughter, Amy Jo; and
 
5    WHEREAS, John Garrett is survived by his daughter, Angela
6K. Brock, and her husband, John; his granddaughter, Ellery Rose
7Brock; his grandson, Garrett Price Brock; and his companion,
8Mary Brown; therefore, be it
 
9    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL
10ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
11his family and friends, the passing of John K. Garrett; and be
12it further
 
13    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
14presented to the family of John Garrett as an expression of our
15sympathy.