SR0349 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0349 LRB103 32766 LAW 62569 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Larry F. Lewis of Quincy, formerly of Ursa, who passed away on May 28, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Larry Lewis was born to Frank William and Imogene Harriet (Smith) Lewis in Quincy on February 15, 1938; he attended grade schools in Hughes and Ursa and Unity High School, and he graduated from Quincy Senior High School in 1956; he attended the University of Illinois, where he was a member of Acacia Fraternity, Field & Furrow agronomy club, the Marching Illini, and the varsity Men's Glee Club that performed at the 1958 Brussels World's Fair; after graduating in 1960, he returned to pursue graduate studies; he married Nancy Wilson on December 18, 1960, and they had two children, Scott and Shawn; and

WHEREAS, Larry Lewis joined his father in the seed business in 1961, adding Lewis Hybrid Seed Corn to the Lewis Seed Company portfolio; he expanded Lewis Hybrid seed sales, building the Lewis brand to over 100 dealers across five states; during his tenure, he traveled extensively to oversee contra seasonal seed production and quality assurance work in Hawaii, Florida, Puerto Rico, Chile, and Mexico; he was known as the visionary leader of Lewis Brands until his retirement in 2007; and

WHEREAS, Larry Lewis' life passion was the seed and soybean industry; he was a board member and past president of the Illinois Crop Improvement Association and Illinois Foundation Seeds; he belonged to the American Seed Trade Association, where he served on multiple committee assignments and as regional vice president and president of the soybean division; he was an executive board member with the Independent Professional Seed Association and served on the initial Illinois Soybean Checkoff Board; following in his father's footsteps, he actively participated in the American Soybean Association and the United Soybean Board; his passion culminated in an Illinois gubernatorial appointment to the National Council for Food and Agricultural Research; and

WHEREAS, Larry Lewis was an active, diligent member of his community, with some of his work including the addition of the Ursa Town Hall to the national registry; he was a member of the Ursa Lions Club and Lions International for over 50 years, serving as district governor from 2012 to 2013 and representing the organization in South Korea; he was also a member of Mendon Masonic Lodge #449, the Quincy Consistory, the Ansar Shriners, the High Twelve, the Great River Jazz Society, and the Quincy Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee; and

WHEREAS, Larry Lewis was a faithful lifetime member of the Ursa Christian Church, where he served as the church choir director for 21 years and led Christmas Cantatas; he loved music and shared his talent locally as part of the symphony chorus; he also made many homecoming appearances in the Marching Illini Alumni band; one of his proudest achievements was playing the role of Daddy Warbucks in the Quincy Community Theatre's production of Annie; and

WHEREAS, In his later years, Larry Lewis enjoyed driving his Model A car and truck in parades, ballroom dancing, attending theater performances, and listening to big band and classical music as well as Dixieland jazz; he was a lifetime St. Louis Cardinals fan and enjoyed attending and watching many games; and

WHEREAS, Larry Lewis was preceded in death by his parents; his former wife; and his life companion and special friend, Nona Long; and

WHEREAS, Larry Lewis is survived by his sons, Scott (Julie) Lewis and Shawn (Shaila) Lewis; his grandchildren, Nicole (Spencer) Allen, Lauren (Bryan) Bickett, Kyle Lewis, Annika Lewis, Grayson Lewis, and Ellie Lewis; and his great-grandchildren, Adalyn Allen and Avery Allen; 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 Larry F. Lewis 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 Larry Lewis as an expression of our deepest sympathy.