HR0630 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0630 LRB097 12527 KXB 57011 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Sergeant Benjamin "Ben" Thomas of Marion, who passed away on June 23, 2011; and

WHEREAS, He was born February 10, 1984, in Sedalia, Missouri, to Danny Lee and Susan-Renae (Hopkins) Thomas; and

WHEREAS, He honorably served in the United States Army, serving overseas in Iraq with the 211th Transportation Unit; he continued his service to the nation by serving with the 825th AG Company Replacement in Marion; and

WHEREAS, He was a member of the Dorrisville Baptist Church in Harrisburg; he was a 2002 graduate of Carbondale Community High School; he earned his Associate's Degree in criminal justice from John A. Logan College; he had an interest in martial arts, where he attained an eighth degree black belt in Kung Fu; he enjoyed playing video games, especially RIFT, but most of all, he loved spending time with his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Charles and Evelyn Hopkins; his great-grandmother, Janie Lee White; and his paternal great-grandparents, Gus and Nell Thomas; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Benjamin "Ben" Thomas is survived by his daughter, Jessa Thomas; his son, William Thomas; his mother and stepfather, Susan-Renae and Dan Walmsley; his father and stepmother, Danny and Susan Thomas; his grandparents, Dean and Linda Thomas and Sarah Thomas; his sisters and brother-in-law, Ashley and Eric Sparks and Brianna Thomas; his fiancée, Mirinda Hart; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins; 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 Sergeant Benjamin "Ben" Thomas; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Sergeant Benjamin "Ben" Thomas as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.