SR0459 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0459 LRB096 14733 GRL 29580 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Quillen Leigh Fox of Montgomery, who passed away on September 19, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Quillen Fox was born in Randolph, Nebraska in 1918; he was the son of Robert and Anna Fox; and

WHEREAS, Quillen Fox graduated from Nebraska State Teachers College (now Wayne State College) and received his master's degree from the University of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, In 1942, Quillen Fox joined the United States Navy; he then attended Northwestern University Midshipman School to receive training to serve as a naval officer in World War II; following his training, he served aboard the U.S.S. Mullany and received the Bronze Star after his ship was attacked by a Japanese plane during the campaign at Okinawa in April of 1945; after leaving active naval service in 1947, he continued his naval service as a member of the Naval Reserve until his retirement in 1983, when he retired with the rank of Lieutenant Commander; and

WHEREAS, After World War II, Quillen Fox joined Investors Diversified Services; in 1973, he switched careers to become a teacher and coach on the south side of Chicago; during his career, he took part in an innovative program to prepare overage underachievers to finish high school; his students could always rely on Mr. Fox for clean uniforms, a ride to games, and a meal from McDonald's after the game; Mr. Fox served faithfully for 20 years until his retirement from teaching in 1993; and

WHEREAS, After his retirement, Quillen Fox became active in volunteer work; he devoted endless hours to Dreyer Clinic, Meals on Wheels, the Special Olympics, and the Kiwanis Club, where he was named Kiwanian of the Year in 2001; he served the congregation of Wesley Methodist Church faithfully as a Sunday School teacher and member of the Finance Committee; he was active in the Navy League and promoted Pearl Harbor Remembrance events; he also attended reunions of classmates from Wayne State College, classmates from Northwestern Midshipman School, and his shipmates from the U.S.S. Mullany; and

WHEREAS, Quillen Fox was a Golden Gloves Champion and an all-around sports enthusiast; and

WHEREAS, Quillen Fox is survived by his wife of 64 years, Phyllis Kendall Fox; his daughters, Linda (Larry), Cindy Anderton (Steve), and Carol San Roman (Phil); and his 6 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Quillen Leigh Fox; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Quillen Fox as an expression of our sympathy.