SR0503 LRB095 18698 GRL 44799 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3 learn of the death of Curtis Stokes Jr., who passed away on
4 January 13, 2008; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Curtis Stokes Jr. was born on May 8, 1936 in
6 Helena, Arkansas; he was the second of three children born to
7 Curtis Stokes Sr. and Mildred J. Hodges; and
 
8     WHEREAS, Curtis Stokes Jr. confessed his faith in Christ at
9 an early age; he later became a member of St. Carthage Catholic
10 Church; and
 
11     WHEREAS, Curtis Stokes Jr. received his education in the
12 Chicago Public School system and was a member of the 1950
13 DuSable High School graduating class; and
 
14     WHEREAS, Curtis Stokes Jr. served his country with
15 distinction as a member of the United States Air Force and USAF
16 Reserve from 1955 until 1962; after his honorable discharge
17 from the Air Force, he attended Wilson Junior College; and
 
18     WHEREAS, Curtis Stokes Jr. was a loyal employee of the
19 United States Post Office for several years; after resigning
20 from the Post Office, he became an entrepreneur; for the last

 

 

SR0503 - 2 - LRB095 18698 GRL 44799 r

1 17 years of his life, he served as an employee of the Chicago
2 Public School system, where he was assigned to Dunbar High
3 School as a Guidance Counselor's Assistant; he also served as
4 the coach of the girl's softball team, where he was fondly
5 referred to as "Stokes"; he eventually ascended to the position
6 of Chief Security Officer at Dunbar, the school he referred to
7 as "his" school; and
 
8     WHEREAS, Curtis Stokes Jr. loved his home, which served as
9 a gathering place on any given day and was referred to as "The
10 Little House on the Prairie"; he enjoying exploring the
11 culinary arts, taking his family on vacations, fishing for his
12 annual October Fish Fry, reading, and spending quality time
13 with his many loved ones; and
 
14     WHEREAS, Curtis Stokes Jr. was preceded in death by his
15 parents and his brother, Willie Morris; and
 
16     WHEREAS, Curtis Stokes Jr. is survived by his loving wife,
17 Brenda; his endearing sons, Durante (Debra) and Derrick
18 (Jermaise); his doting sister, Ollie (Nelson) McLemore; his
19 adoring grandchildren, Durante, Nicole, Dominique, and Derrick
20 Tyler; his grandson, Donzell Stokes; his dedicated uncle, James
21 Hodges; his special cousin, Patricia Nelson; and his many
22 nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, colleagues, co-workers,
23 and friends; therefore, be it
 

 

 

SR0503 - 3 - LRB095 18698 GRL 44799 r

1     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL
2 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
3 his family and friends, the passing of Curtis Stokes Jr.; and
4 be it further
 
5     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
6 presented to the family of Curtis Stokes Jr. as an expression
7 of our sympathy.