SR0222 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0222 LRB103 32065 LAW 61001 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Tommy "Tom" Thompson of Springfield, who passed away on April 19, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Tom Thompson was born in Lincoln on August 24, 1930, the son of Martin and Ida (Stover) Thompson; he graduated from Lincoln Community High School in 1948, where he played football, basketball, and track, and Lincoln College, where he played basketball; he also attended Illinois State University and the University of Illinois; he served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and was stationed in New Jersey; he married Elva "Elvie" Fuchs on April 28, 1956, and she preceded him in death on January 3, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Tom Thompson worked as a loan officer with CIT, Capital Chrysler Plymouth, and the original Marine Bank for many years; and

WHEREAS, Tom Thompson was proud of his hometown and enjoyed taking his friends and family on tours of it; he received the key to the City of Lincoln for his 75th birthday; and

WHEREAS, Tom Thompson was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, where he served as an usher for many years; and

WHEREAS, Tom Thompson loved sports and was a lifelong fan of Lincoln High School sports, particularly basketball, and the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Bears, and the Fighting Illini; as an adult, he was an avid fast pitch softball player and played for the Pluth Tinners; later in life, he played slow pitch softball, which he continued well into his 60s; he also enjoyed watching and coaching his children's sporting events and attending nearly all of his grandsons' games; and

WHEREAS, Tom Thompson loved traveling with his wife, Elva, which including taking many overseas trips, and he visited five continents in his lifetime; he also loved music, particularly big band, show tunes, military songs, and Mariachi music, and telling stories from his past; above all, he loved his family dearly; and

WHEREAS, Tom Thompson was preceded in death by his wife; his son, Gary Thompson; and his brother, Richard Thompson; and

WHEREAS, Tom Thompson is survived by his daughter, Gayle (Dirk) Eilers; his son, Stu (Patti) Thompson; his grandsons, Zane Thompson, Chase Thompson, and Colton (fiancé, Meagan Gonyon) Eilers; and his many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Tommy "Tom" Thompson and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Tom Thompson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.