SR1519 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1519 LRB099 20543 GRL 45091 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Pastor J.C. Coleman, Jr., who passed away on February 1, 2016 at the age of 70; and

WHEREAS, Pastor J.C. Coleman, Jr. was born on September 25, 1945 in Catron, Missouri; his parents were J.C. Coleman, Sr. and Eupha Lee Branch Coleman; he moved to North Chicago with his parents at a very early age; he remained there through high school, where he played football and was a State champion wrestler; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from high school, Pastor J.C. Coleman, Jr. immediately enlisted in the United States Army during the Vietnam era; he was honorably discharged in 1967; and

WHEREAS, After his military service, Pastor J.C. Coleman, Jr. served Mt. Sinai Baptist Church faithfully as a Sunday school teacher for several years; he later moved his membership to Antioch Baptist Church under the pastorate of Reverend Perry, where he was ordained as a Deacon and later accepted his call into the ministry; he subsequently attended McKinley Theological Seminary, where he earned an associate's degree; and

WHEREAS, Pastor J.C. Coleman, Jr. was a faithful member of the New Era District for many years, serving as Secretary to 4 Moderators, including Reverend Blackwell, Reverend Lightfoot, and currently Pastor Roberson; in 2006, he was called to serve as Pastor at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church of Waukegan, where he served faithfully until his passing; and

WHEREAS, Pastor J.C. Coleman, Jr. was an avid sportsman; he continued playing football in the Army and on 2 semi-professional teams, the Lake County Rifles and the Racine Raiders; he also spent many years as a referee on the high school level; and

WHEREAS, Pastor J.C. Coleman, Jr. loved his community and was a community activist who never hesitated to speak up for what he believed was right for the community; he supported and remained active in his community, coaching football for Holy Family School, helping to organize and coach the Flames for the North Chicago Park District, and helping to coach football and wrestling at North Chicago High School; he also organized and coached track and field for the Park District and served for one year as an assistant coach for the St. Joseph High School of Kenosha Track and Field team, where he led the girls team to victory at the Wisconsin state track meet for the first time in the school's history; and

WHEREAS, Pastor J.C. Coleman, Jr. was a Boy Scout leader for several years; he enjoyed teaching and working with young people, fishing, hunting, and gardening; and

WHEREAS, Pastor J.C. Coleman, Jr. was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, Pastor J.C. Coleman, Jr. is survived by his devoted wife, Inette Coleman, whom he married on August 12, 1967; his sons, Jarrod (Joyce) Coleman, Courtney (Abby) Johns, Ryan Eatmon, and Javontay Connor; his daughters, Cydney (Eric) Matthews, Pamela (Trevor) Daly, Kristal (Robert) Cross, and Kathy (Nathaniel) Hall; his grandchildren, Patrick, Jarrod, Jonathan, Pierce, and Joyce Coleman, Brianna, Amber, and Erica Mathews, Leila Eatmon, Nicholas and Madisen Daly, and Kennedy Elise Hall; his brothers, Michael (Margaret) Coleman, Willie (Melinda) Coleman, Dennis (Cheryl) Coleman, and Gerald (Cheryl) Coleman; his sisters, Pauline (Joe) Flowers and Betty Dean Jones; and his many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his family and friends, mourn the passing of Pastor J.C. Coleman, Jr.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Pastor J.C. Coleman, Jr. as an expression of our sympathy.