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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Ralph Franklin McClain of Alton, who 
4passed away on September 11, 2015; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Ralph McClain was born in Mayfield, Kentucky on 
6January 29, 1923 to Roberta and Noble McClain; he graduated 
7from Mayfield High School, where starting in the 8th grade, he 
8played on the varsity football team; he served in the United 
9States Marines during World War II, stationed in the 
10Philippines;  he married Mary Lou Davis on February 7, 1943; he 
11graduated from Murray State University, where he was a varsity 
12fullback and punter all 4 years; on January 1, 1949, he played 
13in the Tangerine Bowl (now the Citrus Bowl) for the Murray 
14State Racers; and
  
 
15    WHEREAS, Ralph McClain taught at Roosevelt Jr. High School, 
16West Jr. High School, and then Alton High School; he was a 
17teacher and an assistant basketball coach during the spring of 
181955 when the Alton Redbirds went to the State tournament; he 
19was also the head football coach during 2 of the seasons that 
20Alton beat East St. Louis back-to-back; he then became an 
21assistant principal at Alton High School; he retired in 1988; 
22and
  
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, Ralph McClain was a devoted Christian, a faithful 
2husband, a great dad, a loving grand "PaPa", and an adoring 
3great-grand "PaPa"; he  took part in an Honor Flight to 
4Washington, D.C., saying it was one of the best days of his 
5life; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Ralph McClain was preceded in death by his 
7parents; his 2 sons, Ralph Franklin McClain II and Jed Franklin 
8McClain; his brother, Joe McClain; and his grandson, Andrew 
9Thompson; and
  
 
10    WHEREAS, Ralph McClain is survived by his wife of 72 years, 
11Mary Lou; his children, Pam (Jim) Youngblood, Tanya (Greg) 
12Collins, and Bart (Louetta) McClain; his daughter-in-law, 
13Sally McClain; his 9 grandchildren, Mary Ann (Mike) Vahl, Chris 
14(Kelly) Youngblood, Sarah (Rich) Sitz, Hunter McClain, McClain 
15Thompson, Samuel (Liza) Thompson, Hadley Thompson, Morgan 
16(Cameron) Chappell, and Anna McClain; his 10 
17great-grandchildren,  Marnie, Carson, and Lucy Vahl, Will and 
18Joey Youngblood, Andrew, Emma, and Nora Sitz, and Jackson and 
19Ellason Chappell, and one great-grandchild to be born in 
20October; and his brother, Carson McClain; therefore, be it
  
 
21    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL 
22ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
23Ralph Franklin McClain, and extend our sincere condolences to 
 
 
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1his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it 
2further
  
 
3    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
4presented to  the family of  Ralph McClain as an expression of 
5our deepest sympathy.