SR0998 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0998 LRB099 14375 MST 38469 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Ralph Franklin McClain of Alton, who passed away on September 11, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Ralph McClain was born in Mayfield, Kentucky on January 29, 1923 to Roberta and Noble McClain; he graduated from Mayfield High School, where starting in the 8th grade, he played on the varsity football team; he served in the United States Marines during World War II, stationed in the Philippines; he married Mary Lou Davis on February 7, 1943; he graduated from Murray State University, where he was a varsity fullback and punter all 4 years; on January 1, 1949, he played in the Tangerine Bowl (now the Citrus Bowl) for the Murray State Racers; and

WHEREAS, Ralph McClain taught at Roosevelt Jr. High School, West Jr. High School, and then Alton High School; he was a teacher and an assistant basketball coach during the spring of 1955 when the Alton Redbirds went to the State tournament; he was also the head football coach during 2 of the seasons that Alton beat East St. Louis back-to-back; he then became an assistant principal at Alton High School; he retired in 1988; and

WHEREAS, Ralph McClain was a devoted Christian, a faithful husband, a great dad, a loving grand "PaPa", and an adoring great-grand "PaPa"; he took part in an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., saying it was one of the best days of his life; and

WHEREAS, Ralph McClain was preceded in death by his parents; his 2 sons, Ralph Franklin McClain II and Jed Franklin McClain; his brother, Joe McClain; and his grandson, Andrew Thompson; and

WHEREAS, Ralph McClain is survived by his wife of 72 years, Mary Lou; his children, Pam (Jim) Youngblood, Tanya (Greg) Collins, and Bart (Louetta) McClain; his daughter-in-law, Sally McClain; his 9 grandchildren, Mary Ann (Mike) Vahl, Chris (Kelly) Youngblood, Sarah (Rich) Sitz, Hunter McClain, McClain Thompson, Samuel (Liza) Thompson, Hadley Thompson, Morgan (Cameron) Chappell, and Anna McClain; his 10 great-grandchildren, Marnie, Carson, and Lucy Vahl, Will and Joey Youngblood, Andrew, Emma, and Nora Sitz, and Jackson and Ellason Chappell, and one great-grandchild to be born in October; and his brother, Carson McClain; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Ralph Franklin McClain, 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 Ralph McClain as an expression of our deepest sympathy.