HR0621 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0621 LRB103 39712 ECR 70155 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Randy Nelson of Alton, formerly of East Alton, who passed away on February 9, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Randy Nelson was born to Frances (Sypolt) Nelson and Richard Nelson in Alton on August 12, 1966; he graduated from Roxana High School; he studied fire service management and earned a master's degree in fire service and homeland security from Southern Illinois University Carbondale; he served as a fire protection specialist in the U.S. Air Force, where he was stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska and then at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota; he married Meghan Widenhoefer on September 25, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Randy Nelson worked as a firefighter at Olin Corporation before being hired by the East Alton Fire Department in 1989; he was promoted to lieutenant in 2000, captain in 2006, and chief in 2012; he retired from the fire department in 2015 and took on the position of village treasurer; that same year, he was published in Fire Engineering magazine; he also formerly taught fire science at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey; and

WHEREAS, Randy Nelson was an active member of the community, receiving several recognitions and awards; his community involvement included the East Alton Rotary, which awarded him the Paul Harris Award for Service; he also served as president and vice president of Local 2333 of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF); and

WHEREAS, Randy Nelson loved fast cars, motorcycles, fishing, and playing darts; he was also an avid boater; and

WHEREAS, Randy Nelson will be remembered for his commitment, dedication, passion, and love for his family, as well as his service to the community; and

WHEREAS, Randy Nelson was preceded in death by his parents and his sister-in-law, Donna Nelson; and

WHEREAS, Randy Nelson is survived by his wife; his stepchildren, Julian Watt, Lydia Watt, Gabriel Watt, Brittany (Dennis) Edney, and Katie (Austin) Sanders; five step-grandchildren; his sisters, Ornetta (Fred) Gilliam, Roxie (Mike Baker) Huck, and Karen (Terry) Good; his brothers, Richard Nelson and Boyd (Staci) Nelson; his nieces and nephews, Jeremy (Missy) Gilliam, Aaron (Kayla) Gilliam, Scott (Tonya Kelly) Gilliam, Dean (Heather Ogden) Huck, Derrick (Wendi) Good, Ryan (Tara) Good, Chris Nelson, Sarah (Lance Harris) Nelson, and Dan (Keely) Nelson; several great-nieces and great-nephews; his friends; and his pets, Momo, Leo, Cheeto, Oliver, and Baby EJ; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Randy Nelson 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 Randy Nelson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.