SR0674 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0674 LRB093 23366 BDD 53349 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois were saddened to learn of the death of Judge LaVerne A. Dixon, who died on August 10, 2004 at the age of 94; and

WHEREAS, Through his leadership, dedication, and professionalism, Judge Dixon personified the nobility of public service; and

WHEREAS, As a life-long resident of Lake County, Judge Dixon, along with his family, became a vital component of the community; and

WHEREAS, Judge Dixon was committed to the concept of education; after his graduation from Lake Forest College, Judge Dixon served as the principal of Lake Villa Grade School and then taught social science at Warren Township High School, where he met his fellow teacher and future wife, Ruth Olsson, to whom he remained married for 68 years; and

WHEREAS, During the years surrounding World War II, Judge Dixon served his country as a Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago in 1935, Judge Dixon committed himself to the practice of law; and

WHEREAS, After a successful career in private legal practice, Judge Dixon turned his attention to service on the bench; he was elected Probate Judge of Lake County in 1962, he was elected Judge of the Circuit Court of the 19th Judicial Circuit in 1964, and he served as Chief Judge of that Court before his retirement from the bench in 1976; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Judge Dixon mentored and inspired countless legal professionals, public servants, and members of the community; and

WHEREAS, During his legal career, Judge Dixon served as a board member and as the first Chairman of the Lake County Water District and as a board member of the Village of Gurnee and of the Warren Township High School; additionally, Judge Dixon contributed significantly to a number of civic and charitable organizations; and

WHEREAS, Judge Dixon's death is a grievous loss to all who knew and loved him, particularly his wife, Ruth; his sons and daughters-in-law John and Sharon Dixon and Lowell and Mariclaire Dixon; his sister Ethel Quedenfeld; his brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Jeanne Dixon; and his four grandchildren and great-grandchild; and

WHEREAS, Honor and duty were his hallmarks, and his every endeavor was characterized by a commitment to serve his community, his State, and his fellow man; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we express our profound sorrow at the death of Judge LaVerne A. Dixon, that we join with his fellow citizens in mourning the loss of this exemplary public servant, and that, to his bereaved family, we extend our heartfelt sympathy; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Judge LaVerne A. Dixon along with our sincerest condolences.