SR0311 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0311 LRB097 13257 KXB 57766 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Donald Emmette Bradley of Chicago, who passed away on August 20, 2011; and

WHEREAS, Donald Emmette Bradley was born December 25, 1931 in St. Louis, Missouri; he was the oldest of 7 children born to the union of Emmit and Ollie Mae Bradley; he attended Simmons Elementary School and Sumner High School in St. Louis; and

WHEREAS, He enlisted in the United States Army in 1950 with the 24th Infantry; shortly after completing basic training, he was sent to battle in the Korean War, where he was injured; he was Honorably Discharged in 1952 and awarded several medals, including the distinguished Purple Heart; he moved to Chicago in 1957; and

WHEREAS, He had many occupations, which included being a DJ, bar manager, and clothing and liquor salesman; before his retirement in 2001, he had worked in the liquor sales business for over 30 years; he was a salesman for the Stroh Brewery Company and District Manager for the African-American Market of Heineken USA; he then became a licensed locksmith in 2002 and operated his own locksmith business; and

WHEREAS, He was a member of Logos Baptist Church; he was the Chairman of the Business Committee for the Senior Community Club; he had a passion for photography, the latest technology, music, traveling, and mentoring youth; he was known as "Uncle Donald" by many of the neighborhood kids; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents, Emmit and Ollie Mae Bradley; four brothers: Joseph Bradley, Percy Bradley, Irving Bradley, and Larry Bradley; and two sisters: Barbara Jean Givens and Mary Bradley; and

WHEREAS, He leaves to celebrate his life one son, Danny Gray; 4 daughters, Stacey Algreen, Makiba Johnson (Clifford, Jr.), Kiyona Bradley-Thomas (Mark), and Lamika Obichere (Tomeke); one step-daughter, Rhonda Smith (Michael); one sister, Shirley Bradley; 2 brothers, Kenneth Bradley and Joe Bradley; 11 grandchildren; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, god children, and friends; therefore, be it

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

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Donald Bradley as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.