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1 | SENATE RESOLUTION
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2 | WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to | ||||||
3 | learn of the death of Thomas M. Burrus of Arenzville, who | ||||||
4 | passed away on October 28, 2017; and
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5 | WHEREAS, Tom Burrus was born in Jacksonville to Martin | ||||||
6 | Gayle and Jeanette (Sullivan) Burrus on July 13, 1949; he | ||||||
7 | graduated from Illinois College in 1971; he married Marcy | ||||||
8 | Bramley at the First Presbyterian Church in Divernon on | ||||||
9 | February 2, 1969; and
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10 | WHEREAS, Tom Burrus spent his career at Burrus Seed, Inc., | ||||||
11 | where he began working after his graduation from college; he | ||||||
12 | was currently serving as President of Burrus Brothers & | ||||||
13 | Associated Growers; and
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14 | WHEREAS, Tom Burrus was actively involved in his local | ||||||
15 | community, as well as the seed industry; he served on several | ||||||
16 | boards, including two terms as a Board Member and former | ||||||
17 | President of Independent Professional Seed Association (IPSA), | ||||||
18 | Illinois Crop Improvement Association, and Illinois Foundation | ||||||
19 | Seed, Inc., of which he was also Board Chairman for six years; | ||||||
20 | additionally, he served two terms on the Passavant Area | ||||||
21 | Hospital Board of Directors, a five-year term as an Illinois | ||||||
22 | College Alumni Trustee, and a Trustee for the Gamma Nu Literary |
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1 | Society; he was a commissioner of the Coon Run Drainage | ||||||
2 | District; he also served in many capacities at the Arenzville | ||||||
3 | United Methodist Church; and
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4 | WHEREAS, Tom Burrus was recognized for his dedication to | ||||||
5 | the independent seed industry and received numerous accolades, | ||||||
6 | including the 2010 IPSA Industry Service Award, an Honorary | ||||||
7 | Life Member Award from the Illinois Seed Trade Association, and | ||||||
8 | induction into the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce | ||||||
9 | Agri-Industry Hall of Fame; he was also an ardent supporter of | ||||||
10 | his alma mater, Illinois College; Tom, along with Marcy, was | ||||||
11 | named the 2016 Illinois College Homecoming Parade Marshall; he | ||||||
12 | also received the Young Alumni Award from the college in 1988; | ||||||
13 | and
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14 | WHEREAS, Tom Burrus lived his life with enthusiasm and | ||||||
15 | encouraged all; he loved conversation and had a genuine | ||||||
16 | interest in others; his compassion was apparent to family, | ||||||
17 | friends, employees, and even new acquaintances; his life was | ||||||
18 | exemplified by his strident support and unwavering advocacy of | ||||||
19 | the independent seed industry and the farmers they served; Tom | ||||||
20 | was known for putting the needs of the farmers first, and he | ||||||
21 | truly believed in the value of service and integrity; his | ||||||
22 | passion for the seed business was infectious; he will leave an | ||||||
23 | indelible mark on the industry that he loved; and
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1 | WHEREAS, Tom Burrus was preceded in death by his parents; | ||||||
2 | and his sister, Rebecca Oliver; and
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3 | WHEREAS, Tom Burrus is survived by his wife, Marcy; his | ||||||
4 | daughters, Lori (Tim) Greene and Gail (Chad) Mitchell; his | ||||||
5 | grandchildren, Griffin Greene, Gannon Greene, Taylor Mitchell, | ||||||
6 | and Pete Mitchell; his brother, Todd (Deb) Burrus; and his many | ||||||
7 | nieces and nephews; therefore, be it
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8 | RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL | ||||||
9 | ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of | ||||||
10 | Thomas M. Burrus and extend our sincere condolences to his | ||||||
11 | family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it | ||||||
12 | further
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13 | RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be | ||||||
14 | presented to the family of Tom Burrus as an expression of our | ||||||
15 | deepest sympathy.
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