SR0385 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0385 LRB103 33021 ECR 62828 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Clarke C. Barnes of Geneseo, who passed away on July 6, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Clarke Barnes was born to AnnaMia and Tom Pleasant in Fort Dodge, Iowa on October 3, 1942; he attended school in Iowa City, Iowa; he married Gayle Mincer on February 3, 1962; he earned his law degree from the University of Iowa in 1967; he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and reported for duty in November 1967; he served a tour in Vietnam followed by an accompanied tour in Iwakuni, Japan before leaving active duty in 1972; he remained in the Marine Corps Reserve, reaching the rank of colonel before retiring from the Marine Corps in 1995; and

WHEREAS, After leaving active duty, Clarke Barnes moved to Rock Island to work as a prosecutor and public defender, and he opened his own law office; in 1977, he was appointed an associate judge of the 14th Judicial Circuit of Illinois and served in that position until he was elected as a circuit judge of Henry County, retiring in 2000; he was recalled to Rockford, where he served from 2008 until his retirement in 2009; he then became a veteran service officer (VSO) and helped many veterans throughout the United States file claims on service-related illnesses; and

WHEREAS, Clarke Barnes served as president of the Rotary Club of Geneseo in 2014; he taught Sunday school for many years, including high school, college, and adult classes; he also coached baseball for many years; and

WHEREAS, Clarke Barnes loved spending time with his family, including watching his children participate in music and sports, attending family reunions, and going on vacations; and

WHEREAS, Clarke Barnes was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, Clarke Barnes is survived by his wife; his children, Patrick (Kimberly) Barnes and Carrie Barnes; his brother, Raymond Barnes; his grandchildren, Bryan and Kinley Barnes; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Clarke C. Barnes and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Clarke Barnes as an expression of our deepest sympathy.