HR1586 LRB095 22948 GRL 53396 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Leroy
4 Wendell Coleman, Jr., who passed away on October 28, 2008; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Leroy Coleman, Jr. was born in Pine Bluff,
6 Arkansas on August 25, 1943; he was the son of the late Leroy
7 Wendell Coleman, Sr. and Mildred P. Coleman; and
 
8     WHEREAS, Leroy Coleman, Jr. accepted Jesus Christ as his
9 Savior at an early age and was baptized in the Church of Christ
10 Holiness (USA) in Pine Bluff, Arkansas; after moving to
11 Glenwood, he joined the Calvary Baptist Church of Glenwood; and
 
12     WHEREAS, Leroy Coleman, Jr. attended elementary, high
13 school, and college in Pine Bluff, Arkansas; he earned his
14 bachelor's degree in music from the Arkansas AM & N College
15 (now University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff); after moving to
16 Chicago, he continued his education at Roosevelt University,
17 earning his master's degree in education; he later completed
18 the course requirements for a doctorate degree in education
19 from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee; and
 
20     WHEREAS, Leroy Coleman, Jr. served his country as a member
21 of the United States Naval Reserve during his time in college;

 

 

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1 he entered active duty with the United States Navy in 1967,
2 where he was trained as a medic; he received his honorable
3 discharge in 1969; and
 
4     WHEREAS, Leroy Coleman, Jr. was employed with the Chicago
5 public school system for 34 years; he served in several
6 positions, including classroom teacher, band director, and
7 assistant principal, until his retirement in 2003; and
 
8     WHEREAS, On February 10, 1973, Leroy Coleman, Jr. was
9 joined in holy matrimony to Glossie "Shirley" Dillard; two
10 sons, Leroy III and Geoffrey, were born to their union; and
 
11     WHEREAS, Leroy Coleman, Jr. was an avid reader, enjoying
12 religious and philosophical writing as well as mystery and
13 science fiction novels; he enjoyed fishing and hunting,
14 traveling throughout the United States in these pursuits; he
15 was a gourmet cook, specially preparing fish, game, and other
16 dishes for his loved ones; he also had a special love for
17 music, volunteering his time as a pianist at the Voice in the
18 Wilderness Missionary Baptist Church and later at the
19 Metropolitan Church of Christ Holiness (USA) in Harvey; and
 
20     WHEREAS, Leroy Coleman, Jr. is survived by his loving wife
21 of 35 years, Glossie "Shirley"; his sons, Leroy Wendell III and
22 Geoffrey; his sisters, Gladys (Richard) Dennis, Mary L.

 

 

HR1586 - 3 - LRB095 22948 GRL 53396 r

1 Coleman, Biddie A. Brown, Jennett (David) Alexander, Ella
2 (Harold) Washington, and Sarah (Jerry) Mutua; his
3 mother-in-law, Leola Dillard; his sisters-in-law, Jewel
4 Dooley, Mildred (Tilman) Smith, Roxie Harris, Bessie (Reverend
5 Norman) Walker, and Margaret (Johnny) McGlown; his
6 brother-in-law, Swayze Dillard; his aunt, Naomi Coleman Jones;
7 and his many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; therefore,
8 be it
 
9     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
10 NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
11 mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Leroy
12 Coleman, Jr.; and be it further
 
13     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
14 presented to the family of Leroy Coleman, Jr. as an expression
15 of our sympathy.