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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of McClendon
4 Grice, who passed away on October 12, 2008; and
 
5     WHEREAS, McClendon Grice was born on February 23, 1931 to
6 the late McClendon Grice Sr. and Ruby McIntosh-Grice; and
 
7     WHEREAS, McClendon Grice grew up on the South Side of
8 Chicago, now known as Bronzeville; at the age of 16, he became
9 the man of the house when his father met an untimely death in
10 1947; he attended Douglas Grade School, Wendell Phillips High
11 School, and was a graduate of Wilson Junior College (Kennedy
12 King College); and
 
13     WHEREAS, At the age of 22, McClendon Grice enlisted in the
14 United States Army, where he served as a private in Germany
15 from 1953 to 1955; during his time in the Army, he received
16 training as an x-ray technician; after returning to the United
17 States from active duty, he earned his certification from Cook
18 County Hospital; during his certification process, he met and
19 courted Gwendolyn Scates while working at the United States
20 Postal Service; and
 
21     WHEREAS, McClendon Grice was employed with the Cook County

 

 

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1 and University of Chicago hospitals for a number of years; he
2 then switched careers, serving as a Minute Clerk with the
3 United States Federal Courts for 29 years, where he had the
4 honor of working for several federal judges; upon his
5 retirement in 1991, the Chicago Sun-Times published an article
6 in his honor declaring him "The Titan of Federal Minute
7 Clerks"; and
 
8     WHEREAS, On August 23, 1958, McClendon Grice married
9 Gwendolyn Scates in a beautiful double ring ceremony; their
10 union was blessed with two children, Steven and Karen, a
11 grandson, Andre, and their special son, Stacie D. Scates; and
 
12     WHEREAS, McClendon Grice was an avid traveler who believed
13 in cultural immersion and traveled extensively with his family
14 both in this country and abroad; his travels took him to 20
15 countries in Africa, Europe, North America, and South America;
16 he was a certified scuba diver and held a special affinity for
17 Jamaica and its ample scuba diving, snorkeling, deep sea
18 fishing, and exploration opportunities; he also enjoyed
19 reading, playing the trumpet and guitar, and chess, which he
20 shared with his special son, Stacie; and
 
21     WHEREAS, McClendon Grice was preceded in death by his
22 parents and his sister, Joyce; and
 

 

 

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1     WHEREAS, McClendon Grice is survived by his loving wife of
2 50 years, Gwen; his beloved children, Steven (Tonya) and Karen;
3 his grandson, Andre; his most loved and special son, Stacie D.
4 Scates; his special son, Derrick; his special daughter,
5 Sinnika; his sisters, Katie his twin and Betty (Curlee); his
6 brothers-in-law, Lester and Squire; and his many nieces,
7 nephews, cousins, and friends; and
 
8     WHEREAS, McClendon Grice will be remembered by all who knew
9 and loved him as a good father and husband whose modesty and
10 hard work inspired his children and the other men in his
11 neighborhood; therefore, be it
 
12     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
13 NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
14 mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of
15 McClendon Grice; and be it further
 
16     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
17 presented to the family of McClendon Grice as an expression of
18 our sympathy.