Bill Text: IL HR0967 | 2011-2012 | 97th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of John Thomas Clark, Jr.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2012-04-24 - Resolution Adopted [HR0967 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2011-HR0967-Introduced.html

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HR0967 LRB097 21163 GRL 68657 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of John
Thomas Clark, Jr.; and
WHEREAS, John Clark, Jr. was born on May 18, 1921, in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; his parents were John Thomas Clark,
Sr. and Patricia Ferguson; he married Ruth Clark in 1949 and
later separated; he married Margaret Williams in 1964; and
WHEREAS, Following the separation of his parents at the age
of 4, John Clark, Jr. and his older sister, Marion, moved with
their mother to Chicago; he later attended Forrestville
Elementary School and graduated from John Farren Elementary
School; after briefly attending Englewood High School, he
graduated from Parker High School (now Paul Robeson High
School) in December of 1938; after high school, he attended the
University of Illinois for one year before finishing his
baccalaureate degree at Lincoln University in Jefferson City,
Missouri; while at Lincoln University, he was initiated into
the Alpha Psi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity on April 1,
1945; he subsequently moved back to Chicago after graduating
from Lincoln University and began working jobs that mostly
focused on manufacturing; and

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WHEREAS, John Clark, Jr. manufactured aircraft engines at
Buick Motors during the early years of World War II; and
WHEREAS, John Clark, Jr. began working for the State of
Illinois in April of 1951; in January of 1974, he moved to the
State of Illinois Department of Public Aid, where he remained
until his retirement in February of 1995; he also worked for
Sears Roebuck and Company; after his son, Eric, left for
college, he and Margaret traveled the world, visiting Europe,
Asia, and South America; and
WHEREAS, John Clark, Jr. was an active member of Alpha Phi
Alpha Fraternity and of the Xi Lambda Chapter; he served as the
Regional Secretary under Midwest Regional Vice President Bro.
Thomas Pawley; he also served in various offices in Xi Lambda
Chapter, including his last office as Associate Editor of the
Sphinx, supported chapter events, and attended Alpha
conventions; in 1983, he was raised to the level of 3rd Degree
Master Mason in North Star Lodge #1 of the Princehall Grand
Lodge; and
WHEREAS, John Clark, Jr. was an avid bridge player who
played in many regional and national tournaments, winning many
of them even late in his bridge playing career; he was also a
long time member of the Midwest Bridge Unit; and

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WHEREAS, John Clark, Jr. was preceded in death by his wife
of 47 years, Margaret; his parents; and his sister, Marion; and
WHEREAS, John Clark, Jr. is survived by his sons, Phillip,
Dennis, John III, and Eric Clark, Sr.; his daughters-in-law,
Evelyn Clark and Michelle Harris; his grandchildren, Devin,
Aaron, Christine, Jordan, Dana, Eric, Jr., Caiyah, Tasia,
Justice, Zyra, and Andrew Clark; and his many
great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends; therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of
John Thomas Clark, Jr.; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of John Clark, Jr. as an expression of
our sympathy.