SR0624 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0624 LRB100 13100 MAS 27489 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of James D. Prather of Rock Island, who passed away on May 27, 2017; and

WHEREAS, James Prather was born in Centerville, Iowa to James D. and Virginia Mae Prather on September 8, 1942; he was a Boy Scout and earned the rank of Eagle Scout; he set pins at Bowladrome Lanes in Rock Island; he graduated from Rock Island High School in 1960 and served in United States Navy on the Valley Forge during the Vietnam War; he married Cheryl "Sherry" Adams on April 28, 1973 and they were the proud parents of two adopted daughters from South Korea; and

WHEREAS, James Prather worked for 35 years with IBM; he was the owner of an electronic store, Audio Phonics, in Rock Island; he also worked for the United States Department of Defense as a contract specialist and spent a year as a civilian contracting officer for the Department of Defense in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, James Prather was involved in Rotary International and was an active member of the Quad-Cities Illinois Rotary Club; he was the District 6420 Governor from 2008 to 2009; and

WHEREAS, James Prather was a member of Two Rivers Church; he became a Certified Lay Minister and was appointed director of Senior Adult Ministries for the Church; he became a Befriender at UnityPoint Health - Trinity in Rock Island, where he participated in their parish nurse programs and graduated from the chaplain program on April 10, 2017; and

WHEREAS, James Prather was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Donald; and

WHEREAS, James Prather is survived by his wife, Cheryl; his children, Christa (Brian) Lutz and Jara (Richard) Chen; his sister, Barbara Prather; his grandchildren, Makenzie and Brileigh Lutz; his brother-in-law, David (Renee) Adams; his nieces, Tara Adams and Debbie (Chad) Paulsen; his nephews, Troy Adams and Joseph Cox; his great-niece, Taylor Ward; and many cousins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of James D. Prather, 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 Prather as an expression of our deepest sympathy.