HR0873 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0873 LRB103 41749 MST 74970 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of James M. "Jim" Kelly Sr., who passed away on May 30, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Jim Kelly, a World War II veteran and Urbana firefighter, gave his entire life to public service for his local community and county; and

WHEREAS, Jim Kelly, one of nine children, was born to Timothy Milton Kelly and Ruth Blythe Frazier Kelly in Findlay on December 29, 1921; the family moved to Urbana in 1925; and

WHEREAS, Jim Kelly graduated from Urbana High School in 1940 and started working for the P & E Railroad Company; however, with the United States' entry into World War II in 1941, he immediately registered for the draft but was denied due to his job being declared essential; and

WHEREAS, Jim Kelly petitioned the railroad company to release him multiple times throughout the war, and on January 1, 1944, he was officially released and eligible to register for the draft, which he gladly did; and

WHEREAS, Jim Kelly married his high school sweetheart, Leila Mae Roughton, on July 8, 1944 in Los Angeles, California prior to beginning his service; and

WHEREAS, Jim Kelly affectionately called Leila his "Rosie the Riveter" because she worked on the assembly line manufacturing airplanes to be used in the war while waiting for him to return home; and

WHEREAS, Jim Kelly joined the United States Marine Corps and was stationed at Camp Pendleton, California, where he was assigned to the Fifth Service Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment of the 5th Marine Division, with the next stop being the Battle of Iwo Jima; and

WHEREAS, Jim Kelly fought valiantly for his country for the entire 36-day battle; he sadly lost his close friend and fellow Urbana High School classmate, Richard L. Pittman, on February 21, 1945 and three of his service battalion buddies in the battle when they were hit by a mortar round as the four of them were delivering ammunitions and supplies to the front; and

WHEREAS, Jim Kelly returned home to Urbana on May 10, 1946 and began his career and family, welcoming a daughter, Cheryl Ann "CJ" Johnson, and a son, James Milton Kelly II; and

WHEREAS, Jim Kelly and Leila retired and eventually became snowbirds, staying in the Tropic Isles Mobile Home Park in Palmetto, Florida from November to April; and

WHEREAS, Jim Kelly's fondest memories throughout his life were caddying for Horton Smith, the first Master's champion, in 1932, and getting a beer from his favorite actor, John Wayne, at Laguna Beach, California; and

WHEREAS, Jim Kelly was a strong supporter of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. and The National World War II Museum in New Orleans and a lifetime member of the VFW, American Legion, Masons, and the Marine Corps League; he also belonged to the Elks Club for 40 years; and

WHEREAS, Jim Kelly has been recognized for various accomplishments by State Senator Stan Weaver, U.S. Representative Tim Johnson, Governor Dwight Green, Governor James Thompson, Governor George Ryan, Secretary of State Jesse White, President Donald Trump, and President Joe Biden; and

WHEREAS, Jim Kelly was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Leila; his parents; his brothers, Elston Ward, Walter Kendall, Paul Tyrus, and Robert Walker; his sisters, Ola Margorine, Ione Imogene, Eleanor Ruth, and Marjoorie Geneese; his son-in-law, Ken Johnson; and his daughter in-law, Anita Morris; and

WHEREAS, Jim Kelly is survived by his children, Cheryl Ann "CJ" Johnson and James Milton Kelly II; his grandchildren, Kelly (Eric) Johnson, Kevin (Brandon) Bowersox-Johnson, Jaime Hagg, and Kathrine (Erik) Hagerman; and his great-grandchildren, Abigayl, Parker, Bryce, Samantha, Garrett, Aneela, and Erik Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Jim Kelly's service and dedication will be remembered by all who knew and loved him as we sadly lose another hero from the World War II generation; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of James M. "Jim" Kelly Sr. and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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