HR1586

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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
Leroy 
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Wendell Coleman, Jr., who passed away on October 28, 2008; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Leroy Coleman, Jr. was born in Pine Bluff, 
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Arkansas on August 25, 1943; he was the son of the late Leroy 
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Wendell Coleman, Sr. and Mildred P. Coleman; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Leroy Coleman, Jr. accepted Jesus Christ as his 
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Savior at an early age and was baptized in the Church of Christ 
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Holiness (USA) in Pine Bluff, Arkansas; after moving to 
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Glenwood, he joined the Calvary Baptist Church of Glenwood; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Leroy Coleman, Jr. attended elementary, high 
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school, and college in Pine Bluff, Arkansas; he earned his 
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bachelor's degree in music from the Arkansas AM & N College 
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(now University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff); after moving to 
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Chicago, he continued his education at Roosevelt University, 
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earning his master's degree in education; he later completed 
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the course requirements for a doctorate degree in education 
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from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Leroy Coleman, Jr. served his country as a member 
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of the United States Naval Reserve during his time in college; 
 


 






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he entered active duty with the United States Navy in 1967, 
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where he was trained as a medic; he received his honorable 
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discharge in 1969; and


 
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    WHEREAS, Leroy Coleman, Jr. was employed with the Chicago 
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public school system for 34 years; he served in several 
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positions, including classroom teacher, band director, and 
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assistant principal, until his retirement in 2003; and

 
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    WHEREAS, On February 10, 1973, Leroy Coleman, Jr. was 
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joined in holy matrimony to Glossie "Shirley" Dillard; two 
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sons, Leroy III and Geoffrey, were born to their union; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Leroy Coleman, Jr. was an avid reader, enjoying 
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religious and philosophical writing as well as mystery and 
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science fiction novels; he enjoyed fishing and hunting, 
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traveling throughout the United States in these pursuits; he 
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was a gourmet cook, specially preparing fish, game, and other 
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dishes for his loved ones; he also had a special love for 
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music, volunteering his time as a pianist at the Voice in the 
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Wilderness Missionary Baptist Church and later at the 
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Metropolitan Church of Christ Holiness (USA) in Harvey; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Leroy Coleman, Jr. is survived by his loving wife 
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of 35 years, Glossie "Shirley"; his sons, Leroy Wendell III and 
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Geoffrey; his sisters, Gladys (Richard) Dennis, Mary L. 
 


 






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Coleman, Biddie A. Brown, Jennett (David) Alexander, Ella 
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(Harold) Washington, and Sarah (Jerry) Mutua; his 
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mother-in-law, Leola Dillard; his sisters-in-law, Jewel 
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Dooley, Mildred (Tilman) Smith, Roxie Harris, Bessie (Reverend 
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Norman) Walker, and Margaret (Johnny) McGlown; his 
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brother-in-law, Swayze Dillard; his aunt, Naomi Coleman Jones; 
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and his many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; therefore, 
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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 Leroy 
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Coleman, Jr.; 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 Leroy Coleman, Jr. as an expression 
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of our sympathy.