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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of former
4Kendall County Sheriff Thomas Usry, who passed away on January
522, 2015 at the age of 78; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Thomas Usry was born on July 24, 1936 in
7Washington, D.C. to Delmar Howard and Cleo Beth (nee Early)
8Usry; he was raised in Yorkville and later lived in Aurora; he
9graduated from West Aurora High School in 1954; upon
10graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army, where he was
11stationed at Ft. Bragg in North Carolina and proudly served in
12the 82nd Airborne Division Artillery, 187th Regiment; he
13married Pauline Alyce Keierleber on May 5, 1956 at Claim Street
14Baptist Church in Aurora; and
 
15    WHEREAS, After receiving his discharge from active duty,
16Thomas Usry served as a Sergeant with the 129th Infantry of the
17Illinois Army National Guard and began his noteworthy career in
18law enforcement; he served as Deputy and Chief Deputy of
19Kendall County and was later elected Sheriff in 1970; he served
202 4-year terms, being re-elected in 1974; he continued down the
21path of law enforcement after leaving the Sheriff's Office,
22joining the College of DuPage as Chief of Police in 1978 and
23serving in that capacity for over 2 decades, until his

 

 

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1retirement in 2000; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Thomas Usry graduated from the FBI National
3Academy in 1973; in 1982, he became the Secretary and Treasurer
4of the FBI National Academy Illinois Chapter, a position he
5held until his retirement in 2000; in 1989, he graduated from
6the Secret Service Dignitary Protection Training Program; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Thomas Usry was involved in various local and
8national organizations, including the International
9Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, the
10Illinois Police Association, the DuPage County Chiefs of Police
11Association, the American Society of Industrial Security, and
12the FBI National Academy Associates of Illinois; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Thomas Usry was also a prominent member in various
14civic organizations, including the John Steele Chapter of the
1582nd Airborne Division Association, where he served as Chapter
16President in 1989, the Raven Lodge 303, and the Ancient Free &
17Accepted Masons in Oswego; he was an active member of the
18Golden K Kiwanis in Aurora during his retirement, ultimately
19serving as President of the club; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Thomas Usry was known for the sincere devotion he
21reserved not only for his immediate family, but also for his
22friends; he was an avid aficionado of John Wayne films; he

 

 

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1loved to play golf and bowl; he enjoyed rifle and handgun
2shooting, and was an excellent shot, receiving a perfect score
3at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Thomas Usry was preceded in death by his parents;
5his son, Phillip Howard Usry; his brother-in-law and
6sister-in-law, R. William and Verlie Usry; and his
7brother-in-law, Robert Morehouse; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Thomas Usry is survived by his wife, Pauline; his
9son, Tom Usry; his 2 daughters, Paula (Dan) Christiansen and
10Lisa (Michael) Cope; and his sister-in-law, Ruth (the late
11Robert) Morehouse; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Thomas Usry led a life of great virtue,
13commendation, and esteem; he was beloved and respected by all
14who knew him and leaves a significant legacy behind for all to
15strive to emulate; therefore, be it
 
16    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
17NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
18mourn the passing of Thomas Usry, and we extend our sincere
19condolences to his many friends and loved ones; and be it
20further
 
21    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be

 

 

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1presented to the family of Thomas Usry as a symbol of our
2deepest sympathies and sincere appreciation for his
3demonstrable service to the residents of Kendall County and the
4State of Illinois.