SR0798 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0798 LRB098 15127 MST 50101 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of James Lowell Fyke of Eureka, who passed away on November 19, 2013; and

WHEREAS, James Fyke was born on June 14, 1936 in Marion County to Willis Grandville and Tina Myrtle Greenwalt Fyke; his family settled in Peoria when he was 4 years old; he attended Kelly Avenue Grade School in Peoria Heights and graduated from Woodruff High School in Peoria; he married Karen Delane Ludwig on June 6, 1959; and

WHEREAS, James Fyke worked for Ace Ambulance of Peoria, as a security guard for St. Francis Medical Center, and as a deputy for the Peoria County Sheriff's Department; he began attending Michigan State University in the Police Administration School, graduating in December 1962; he worked for a time as the Director of Records and Communications for the Cook County Sheriff's Police Department and then became a consultant to police and fire departments, and over the next 6 years, consulted for cities from Salt Lake City, Utah to Johnstown, Rhode Island; in 1967, he became chief of police for Inkster, Michigan and in 1969 he began working for Kent State University as a consultant to the local police department, eventually becoming the Kent State University Chief of Police; in 1972, he became an instructor at Illinois Central College in the new police training academy; he was a member of the United States Army Reserve for 6 years; and

WHEREAS, James Fyke ran for the post of Sheriff of Peoria County, and although his attempt was unsuccessful, it resulted in his being offered the position of United States Marshal for the Central District of Illinois; he earned many awards during his 13 years in the position and retired in 1995; and

WHEREAS, James Fyke was an active leader at West Bluff Christian Church in Peoria; he was asked to spend a few weeks helping at Harristown Christian Church near Decatur, which turned into a stint of over 18 years; he was a member of the Woodford County Historical Society, the Rotary Club of Eureka, and a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association; he also served on the Woodford County Health Department Board; and

WHEREAS, James Fyke was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Matthew Lowell; his niece, Sandra Fyke; and his brother, Harvey Frank Fyke; and

WHEREAS, James Fyke is survived by his wife, Karen; his daughters, Kristen Fyke, Robin (Christopher) Robinson, and Susan (Brandon) Bressner; his 8 grandchildren; his 5 great-grandchildren; his siblings, Mary Ellen Yeast, Gary W. Fyke, and Barbara (Marc) Holder; and many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of James Lowell Fyke, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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