SR0503 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0503 LRB095 18698 GRL 44799 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Curtis Stokes Jr., who passed away on January 13, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Curtis Stokes Jr. was born on May 8, 1936 in Helena, Arkansas; he was the second of three children born to Curtis Stokes Sr. and Mildred J. Hodges; and

WHEREAS, Curtis Stokes Jr. confessed his faith in Christ at an early age; he later became a member of St. Carthage Catholic Church; and

WHEREAS, Curtis Stokes Jr. received his education in the Chicago Public School system and was a member of the 1950 DuSable High School graduating class; and

WHEREAS, Curtis Stokes Jr. served his country with distinction as a member of the United States Air Force and USAF Reserve from 1955 until 1962; after his honorable discharge from the Air Force, he attended Wilson Junior College; and

WHEREAS, Curtis Stokes Jr. was a loyal employee of the United States Post Office for several years; after resigning from the Post Office, he became an entrepreneur; for the last 17 years of his life, he served as an employee of the Chicago Public School system, where he was assigned to Dunbar High School as a Guidance Counselor's Assistant; he also served as the coach of the girl's softball team, where he was fondly referred to as "Stokes"; he eventually ascended to the position of Chief Security Officer at Dunbar, the school he referred to as "his" school; and

WHEREAS, Curtis Stokes Jr. loved his home, which served as a gathering place on any given day and was referred to as "The Little House on the Prairie"; he enjoying exploring the culinary arts, taking his family on vacations, fishing for his annual October Fish Fry, reading, and spending quality time with his many loved ones; and

WHEREAS, Curtis Stokes Jr. was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Willie Morris; and

WHEREAS, Curtis Stokes Jr. is survived by his loving wife, Brenda; his endearing sons, Durante (Debra) and Derrick (Jermaise); his doting sister, Ollie (Nelson) McLemore; his adoring grandchildren, Durante, Nicole, Dominique, and Derrick Tyler; his grandson, Donzell Stokes; his dedicated uncle, James Hodges; his special cousin, Patricia Nelson; and his many nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, colleagues, co-workers, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Curtis Stokes Jr.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Curtis Stokes Jr. as an expression of our sympathy.