SR0858 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of John "Jack" William Kerr of St. Charles, who passed away on July 2, 2012; and

WHEREAS, John Kerr was born on February 24, 1935, and was raised in Jacksonville, Florida; he married Mary Celestia Neder in 1960; and

WHEREAS, John Kerr attended Davidson College, where he pledged with Sigma Alpha Epsilon and earned his bachelor's degree in economics; and

WHEREAS, After college, John Kerr joined the United States Army, where he was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant, and received orders to report for active duty for 2 years; in 1959, he was released from active duty and was reassigned to the U.S. Army Reserves, where he served in various positions and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel; he retired from the U.S. Army Reserves in 1987 after 30 years of dedicated service; and

WHEREAS, In 1963, John Kerr and his wife moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, where he began employment with Allstate Insurance Company; he and his family were transferred to Marietta, Georgia, in 1980; in 1985, they transferred again to St. Charles; he retired from Allstate Insurance Company in 1995 after 32 years of service; and

WHEREAS, John Kerr served as a commissioner of the St. Charles Park District Board since 1987; he also served as president, vice-president, treasurer and secretary of the board; he served as a representative and treasurer for the Norris Cultural Arts Center Board; he was a representative on the Kane County Citizens Advisory Committee, the River Corridor Foundation, the Kane County Judicial Center Master Plan Committee, and the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association; he was an active member of the St. Charles Kiwanis Club and a past president of the Benevolent Order of Youthful Seniors Club; he served as a Republican precinct committee member; he was also a very active member of St. Charles Episcopal Church, where he served as a Sunday school teacher, chairman of the Stewardship Committee, and senior warden; and

WHEREAS, John Kerr was preceded in death by his parents, Ellen and James Kerr, and his brothers, James K. Kerr Jr. and Robert Kerr; and

WHEREAS, John Kerr is survived by his wife, Mary; his son, John William Jr. (Kristen); his daughter, Jennifer Kerr Robinson; his grandsons, Joshua Michael and Jacob Thomas; his sisters, Virginia Houser and Ellene McKinney; and his many nephews, nieces, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of John "Jack" William Kerr; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of John Kerr as an expression of our sympathy.