SR0386 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0386 LRB093 18535 KEF 44256 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois were saddened to learn of the death of Allen M. Oakley of Quincy on January 11, 2004; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Oakley was born on October 4, 1907 in Quincy to Ray M. and Kate C. Burks Oakley; on February 8, 1941, he married Carol Selby in St. Louis, Missouri; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Oakley spent a lifetime in the newspaper business; from his earliest days, newspapers were in his blood; his first job was delivering newspapers, and he was a correspondent for the Herald while attending Quincy High School; after graduating in 1924, he became a full-time Herald reporter, covering the south side and downtown beats; after the Herald and Whig-Journal merged in 1926, Mr. Oakley attended Tulane University in New Orleans, where he studied English and golf; he stayed there until he accepted a job with The Herald-Whig in 1928; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Oakley's first position with the newspaper was on the copy desk; in 1929, he became night editor and in subsequent years took on greater responsibilities; he became managing editor in 1947 and held that position until 1966 when he was named editor and assumed supervision of the editorial page; he stepped down from the daily operation of the newspaper in 1983; and

WHEREAS, Just as his name is closely associated with Quincy journalism, Mr. Oakley is also synonymous with Quincy golf; he became one of the top amateur players ever to play a game in the Quincy area; he was hooked at the age of 14 by his first golf shot, he continued to play into his late 80s, even when legally blind; he was the Central Illinois Country Club Association champion in 1925 and claimed six city championships as well as shooting a long-standing record 63 at the Quincy Country Club, where he was a member; and

WHEREAS, He was a member of the First Union Congregational Church; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Allen M. Oakley will be deeply felt by many, especially his wife, Carol; his daughters, Ann Elizabeth Wright and Susan Burks; his three grandchildren, Marvin Miller Wright, Amy Ellender Mervin, and Polly Ann Mize; his four great-granddaughters, Holly, Amanda, Stephanie, and Charity Mervin; and his great-great-grandson, Josiah Gaunt; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his sister, Elisabeth Smith; and three brothers, Burks Oakley, William B. Oakley, and T.C. Oakley; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Allen M. Oakley along with all who knew and loved him and extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends; and be it further

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