SR0998LRB099 14375 MST 38469 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Ralph Franklin McClain of Alton, who
4passed away on September 11, 2015; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Ralph McClain was born in Mayfield, Kentucky on
6January 29, 1923 to Roberta and Noble McClain; he graduated
7from Mayfield High School, where starting in the 8th grade, he
8played on the varsity football team; he served in the United
9States Marines during World War II, stationed in the
10Philippines; he married Mary Lou Davis on February 7, 1943; he
11graduated from Murray State University, where he was a varsity
12fullback and punter all 4 years; on January 1, 1949, he played
13in the Tangerine Bowl (now the Citrus Bowl) for the Murray
14State Racers; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Ralph McClain taught at Roosevelt Jr. High School,
16West Jr. High School, and then Alton High School; he was a
17teacher and an assistant basketball coach during the spring of
181955 when the Alton Redbirds went to the State tournament; he
19was also the head football coach during 2 of the seasons that
20Alton beat East St. Louis back-to-back; he then became an
21assistant principal at Alton High School; he retired in 1988;
22and
 

 

 

SR0998- 2 -LRB099 14375 MST 38469 r

1    WHEREAS, Ralph McClain was a devoted Christian, a faithful
2husband, a great dad, a loving grand "PaPa", and an adoring
3great-grand "PaPa"; he took part in an Honor Flight to
4Washington, D.C., saying it was one of the best days of his
5life; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Ralph McClain was preceded in death by his
7parents; his 2 sons, Ralph Franklin McClain II and Jed Franklin
8McClain; his brother, Joe McClain; and his grandson, Andrew
9Thompson; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Ralph McClain is survived by his wife of 72 years,
11Mary Lou; his children, Pam (Jim) Youngblood, Tanya (Greg)
12Collins, and Bart (Louetta) McClain; his daughter-in-law,
13Sally McClain; his 9 grandchildren, Mary Ann (Mike) Vahl, Chris
14(Kelly) Youngblood, Sarah (Rich) Sitz, Hunter McClain, McClain
15Thompson, Samuel (Liza) Thompson, Hadley Thompson, Morgan
16(Cameron) Chappell, and Anna McClain; his 10
17great-grandchildren, Marnie, Carson, and Lucy Vahl, Will and
18Joey Youngblood, Andrew, Emma, and Nora Sitz, and Jackson and
19Ellason Chappell, and one great-grandchild to be born in
20October; and his brother, Carson McClain; therefore, be it
 
21    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL
22ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
23Ralph Franklin McClain, and extend our sincere condolences to

 

 

SR0998- 3 -LRB099 14375 MST 38469 r

1his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
2further
 
3    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
4presented to the family of Ralph McClain as an expression of
5our deepest sympathy.