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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Benjamin J. "Ben" Bumbry Jr. of Quincy,
4who passed away on May 10, 2018; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Ben Bumbry Jr. was born in St. Louis, Missouri to
6Benjamin James and Melzia L. (Walker) Bumbry Sr. on August 24,
71931; he graduated from Sumner High School in St. Louis,
8Missouri and then attended Drake University in Des Moines,
9Iowa; he earned a bachelor's degree in physical education from
10Quincy College, now Quincy University, in 1976; he played
11basketball for both Quincy College and Drake University; while
12at Quincy College, the team he was on during the 1954-1955
13season earned a berth in the national tournament and broke
14racial barriers by fielding a starting five that were all
15African-American; he married Helen E. Robbins in Quincy on
16March 16, 1957; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Ben Bumbry Jr. worked at Moorman Manufacturing for
18over 20 years; following his retirement, he went on to teach in
19the Quincy Public Schools for 22 years; he also coached girls'
20softball and basketball at Quincy High School; he retired in
212008; and
 
22    WHEREAS, Ben Bumbry Jr. served on the Quincy City Council

 

 

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1as Alderman of Ward #1 from 2004 until 2010; he also served on
2the Quincy Park Board from 1993 until 2003 and was Director of
3the Redmon & Lee Community Center; he was a member of the
4Quincy University Board of Trustees and the SIU Board of
5Directors; he served as the Executive Director of the
6Jackson-Lincoln Pool, where he was a mentor, an employee, a
7coach, and a true friend to many young people; he was a guest
8lecturer at both John Wood Community College and Quincy
9University; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Ben Bumbry Jr. was a member of Bethel A.M.E.
11Church; he was a member of United Lodge #16 of the Free and
12Accepted Masons for 54 years; he was also a member of the
13Illinois/Missouri Male Gospel Chorus that performed throughout
14the Tri-State area; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Ben Bumbry Jr. was inducted into the Iowa AAU Hall
16of Fame as well as into the halls of fame at Sumner High School
17and Quincy College; he received the John Quincy Adams Award for
18his role in enhancing the quality of life in his community, the
19Lincoln Legacy Award from the Adams County Bar Association for
20his efforts to foster equality and justice, and an award from
21the Martha K. Majors Club for his dedicated service to the
22community; in 2014, he received the Humanitarian Award from
23Bethel A.M.E. Church; he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of
24Humane Letters by Culver-Stockton College for his commitment to

 

 

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1education, charity, and community service; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Ben Bumbry Jr. was well known throughout the area
3for his band, Ben Bumbry and the Messengers; he performed for
4over 60 years as a professional musician in Quincy and the
5Tri-State area, including aboard the Mark Twain River Boat in
6Hannibal, Missouri, where he performed for 28 years; he also
7helped to organize the Mississippi Muddy Waters Blues Society;
8and
 
9    WHEREAS, Ben Bumbry Jr. was preceded in death by his
10parents; his son, Robbin Andre Bumbry; and his brother, Charles
11Bumbry; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Ben Bumbry Jr. is survived by his wife, Helen; his
13children, Charles Tyrone Bumbry, Cynthia Marie Bumbry, and
14Benjamin James Bumbry III; his grandchildren, Jared Andreas
15Bumbry, Jacob Cameron Bumbry, and Monica Marie Bumbry; his
16great-grandchildren, Alexander, Aalyah, and Skylar; his
17sister, Grace Ann Bumbry; his brothers-in-law, Floyd Robbins
18and Leon Robbins; his aunt, Vernie Robbins; and his many
19nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; therefore, be it
 
20    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL
21ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
22Benjamin J. "Ben" Bumbry Jr. and extend our sincere condolences

 

 

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1to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be
2it further
 
3    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
4presented to the family of Ben Bumbry Jr. as an expression of
5our deepest sympathy.