HR0143

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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
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Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of retired 
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police lieutenant James N. Gentry of Decatur, who passed away 
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on January 18, 2007; and

 
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    WHEREAS, James Gentry was born on November 29, 1931; his 
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parents were Fred and Luelle Arnold Gentry; he married Sandra 
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Sue Michaels on September 23, 1956; and

 
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    WHEREAS, He served in the United States Navy and was an 
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Electronics Mate aboard the U.S.S. Midway;  and
 
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    WHEREAS, James Gentry was a graduate of Richland Community 
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College, attended Millikin University, and graduated from 
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Northwestern University Traffic Institute; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Mr. Gentry joined the Decatur Police Department in 
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1956; he worked as a Patrolman, Detective, Juvenile Officer, 
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and Sergeant; upon graduation from Northwestern University 
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Traffic Institute he was promoted to Lieutenant and retired in 
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1986 in that position; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Mr. Gentry was a life member of the Police 
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Benevolent and Protective Association, the First Christian 
 


 






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Church, was President of the Decatur Shrine Club, Exalted Ruler 
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B.P.O.E. #401, a Commander of the American Legion, and a member 
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of the Moose Lodge; and

 
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    WHEREAS, He was instrumental in building the memorial on 
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the grounds of the Macon County Courthouse, where his father's 
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name, his brother Jack's name, and his name are all inscribed; 
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and
 
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    WHEREAS, He was a Fighting Illini fan and attended many of 
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their football and basketball games; he was a St. Louis 
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Cardinals fan; he loved Jeff Gordon and Nascar; he loved golf, 
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sometimes playing 3 or 4 times a week; he loved all kinds of 
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music; he loved gardening and his flowers; and he loved people, 
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never meeting a stranger; and
 
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    WHEREAS, He was an active member of the Republican Party, 
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serving as a precinct committeeman; he was a member of the 
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National Rifle Association, the Royal Order of Court Jesters 
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20, and was on the board of the Police Training Institute in 
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Champaign; and
 
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    WHEREAS, James Gentry was preceded in death by his parents; 
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his brother, Fred Jr., and his sister, Betty; and
 
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    WHEREAS, James Gentry is survived by his wife, Sandra; his 
 


 






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son, James N. II, and his wife, Okanna, and their children, 
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Adam, Colin, and Katherine; his daughter, Amy Dianne Brown and 
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her husband, Bill, and their children, Claire, Ryan, and 
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William; his brothers, Jack and C. Lyle; and his sisters, 
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Shirley Thurber, and Avis Hallock; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of James 
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N. Gentry; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to the family of James N. Gentry as a symbol of our 
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sympathy.