Bill Text: IL HR1159 | 2011-2012 | 97th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Dezo McGill.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Passed) 2012-08-17 - Resolution Adopted [HR1159 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2011-HR1159-Introduced.html

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HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Dezo
McGill, who passed away on May 27, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Dezo McGill was born on April 23, 1933, in Oktaha,
Oklahoma, to James Reed and Uraha Belle Triggs; and
WHEREAS, Dezo McGill served with distinction as a member of
the United States Army and received an honorable discharge on
January 31, 1962; and
WHEREAS, Following his service in the Army, Dezo McGill
continued his education at Langston University, where he earned
his bachelor's degree in biology, and at Wichita State
University, where he earned his master's degree; and
WHEREAS, Dezo McGill served as a high school teacher for
many years; he was well known for encouraging his students to
stretch themselves to strive to achieve their educational
goals; and
WHEREAS, Dezo McGill accepted his call to ministry and
began his journey as one of God's choice servants; from 1963 to
1967, he served as Assistant to the Pastor at Tabernacle

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Baptist Church; in 1969, he was called to serve as Pastor of
the New Zion Baptist Church in Wichita, Kansas; in August of
1973, he accepted the call to serve as the Pastor of Main
Street Baptist Church in Aurora; as Pastor of Main Street
Baptist, he was actively involved in his community, serving
locally as Chaplain for the Aurora Police Department and as a
member of the Ministerial Alliance; he retired after 32 years
of faithful service to Main Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, Dezo McGill had a heart for missions and was
committed to the continual building of God's Kingdom, at home
and abroad; in 1981, he took his first journey to Zimbabwe;
through the encouragement and inspiration of the Main Baptist
membership, he journeyed to Africa 28 times; in 1983, he
founded the Africa Crusade Ministry, Inc., and invited other
ministers and lay persons to join the Crusade; during one of
the Crusade trips, he determined that the ministry needed to
expand to offer more tangible assistance; he subsequently
formed the African American Outreach Mission to further their
missionary efforts; he reached out to churches and communities
throughout the country to collect Bibles, clothing, medical
equipment, medicines, computer equipment, school supplies, and
other items; and
WHEREAS, Dezo McGill served as Vice President of Ecumenical
Affairs of the National Baptist State Convention, Moderator and

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2nd Vice Moderator of the Northwood River District Association,
2nd Vice President of the Illinois Missionary Baptist State
Convention, President of the Illinois State Congress, Dean of
Practical Studies of the National Sunday School and B.T.U.
Congress, and leader of the Ministers Lecture Series with the
National Congress; he was also ordained as an Honorary Anglican
Priest in Harare, Zimbabwe, an honor he cherished deeply; and
WHEREAS, Dezo McGill is survived by his wife of 39 years,
Esther C. McGill; his children, James McGill, Gary Polk, Portia
(Richard) Prather, Dezo (Donna) McGill, Jr., Brenda Johnson,
Ronnie (Jane) McGill, Cathryn McGill, Charles Dixon, and
Andriette McGill; his sisters, Dorothy Johnson, Charlene
Carter, Gwendolyn Breedlove, and Yvonne Caldwell; his
brothers, Alvin Curtis, Leonard Triggs, and Al Triggs; his
grandchildren, Brian Polk, Aspen Polk, Darvell Polk, Raymond
(Shontel) Griffin, Titus Prather, Antigone (Matt) Rappord,
Darrius Johnson, Lindsey Johnson, Joshua McGill, DJ McGill,
Riley McGill, Nashae (Adam) Morin, Caleb Dixon, and Tashia
Woodridge; his great-grandchildren, Titus L. Prather, Kali
McGowan, William Griffin, and Aaliyah Griffin; and his many
other relatives, friends, and the entire congregation of his
church; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that

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we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of
Dezo McGill; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Dezo McGill as an expression of our
sympathy.