HR0857 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0857 LRB103 41227 ECR 74444 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Pettus Thomas "Tom" Morris Jr. of Peoria, who passed away on June 30, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Tom Morris, the son of Susie Geoghegan Morris and Pettus Thomas Morris Sr., was born in Martinsville, Virginia on December 16, 1939; he graduated from the University of Richmond in 1962; after college, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving as an infantry unit commander and a member of a general's staff; upon moving from active duty to the U.S. Army Reserve, he achieved the rank of captain; and

WHEREAS, Tom Morris moved to Illinois in 1964, where he started working as a Midwest territory representative for his uncle's furniture business and settled in Peoria; he then began a lengthy career in pharmaceutical sales; and

WHEREAS, Tom Morris was passionate about his faith, and he was actively involved with First Presbyterian Church, now known as United Presbyterian, and served as a leader in his local chapters of the Christian Business Men's Connection; he was also a member of the Jaycees and served as president of his local Toastmasters chapter; and

WHEREAS, Tom Morris was an avid fan of the Bradley University basketball team, the Bradley Braves, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign football team, the Fighting Illini; he took great pride in helping his sons in whatever ways he could; and

WHEREAS, Tom Morris, who was also known as "P.T.", will be remembered for his overt friendliness, his Virginia accent that never faded, and his quirky and impressive knowledge of geography, wildlife, and sports; and

WHEREAS, Tom Morris was preceded in death by his parents and his former wife and the mother of his sons, Helen Cox Ferguson; and

WHEREAS, Tom Morris is survived by his companion of 37 years, Carol Burling; his sons, John D. (Cindy) Morris, Stephen M. (Joy) Morris, and Thomas Kenneth "T.K." (Natasha) Morris; his grandchildren, Jordan (Adria) Morris, Taylor Morris, Robert "Bobby" Morris, Cal Morris, Hannah Morris, and Isaiah Morris; his sisters, Susan Thompson and Libby (Mike) Wharton; his nephews, Jeff Thompson, Brian Thompson, and Ben Wharton; and many members of Carol's family; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Pettus Thomas "Tom" Morris Jr. 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 Morris as an expression of our deepest sympathy.