HR1019 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1019 LRB094 19824 HSS 57117 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois learned with sadness of the death of Jerry Russell Simmons on Friday, February 24, 2006; and

WHEREAS, He was born on June 21, 1926, in Grantsburg, the son of Oliver Simmons & Laura (Deasel) Simmons; he attended Grantsburg School from 1932 to 1940, obtained his GED, and attended Aurora College in Aurora, where he received his degree in business management; and

WHEREAS, He valiantly served his country as a member of the U.S. Army during World War II in the Pacific Theater as a 155 Howitzer Cannoneer and in the army of occupation in Japan; he received several medals, including the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with one Bronze Star, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star, the Victory Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Army of Occupation Medal - Japan; he received an honorable discharge on November 17, 1946; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Simmons married Jane (Sanders) on November 25, 1948, in Piggott, Arkansas; he received his privet pilot license for single engine planes on November 29, 1949; he was employed for 21 years at All Steel Equipment in Aurora from 1953 to 1974; he started as a machine operator and was promoted to foreman and General Foreman before leaving in 1974; and

WHEREAS, He moved to Vienna, Illinois, where he owned and operated a small business, Simmons Home Furnishings, from 1974 until 1992; he was elected Johnson County Clerk and Recorder in December of 1986 and served in that office until his retirement on November 30, 1994; and

WHEREAS, He was a member of the County Line Baptist Church in the Flatwoods community and was a faithful member of the New Columbia Masonic Lodge #336 AF&AM at Ganntown for over 53 years; he was an avid fisherman and enjoyed gardening, bowling, and collecting and repairing antique clocks; he was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and an active member of the Johnson County Democratic Party; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Jerry Russell Simmons has been deeply felt by many, especially his wife, Jane; his daughter, Terri McKenzie, and her husband Nick; his grandchildren, Scott and Mindy McKenzie and Sara Jane McKenzie; his great-grandchildren, Sam, C.J., Christopher, Kaitlynn, Aaron, and Angel; his sister-in-Law, Ludean Shoemaker-Simmons; and his many nieces and nephews; he was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Mary Morgan; his brothers, Joe Simmons and Junior Simmons; and his half-sisters, Peggy Arnold and Nell Goodgoin; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Jerry Russell Simmons, and we extend our deepest sympathy 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 his family as an expression of our sincerest condolences.