SR0804 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0804 LRB094 21166 HSS 59497 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with regret of the death of O. Boyd Clow of Oswego on Sunday, July 2, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Oliver Boyd Clow was born in Wheatland Township on September 19, 1922; he married Elizabeth Ann on December 27, 1949; she preceded him in death on May 11, 1997; and

WHEREAS, He was a member of the 1939 graduating class of Aurora East High School; he attended the University of Colorado on a football scholarship and left school after two years to help run the family farm; and

WHEREAS, In 1949, he moved to what was to become Clow International Airport; he was a farm implement dealer, and he traded a piece of farm equipment to buy his first airplane, a Taylor Craft, and then built his own airstrip, which led to the Chicago Glider Club moving there; the airport grew and was named the Airport of the Year in 1989 for Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Clow enjoyed flying and flew all kinds of aircraft from single engine tail draggers to twin engine planes, and in 2003, he was inducted into the Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame; today the airport is home to the Illinois Aviation Museum, which he helped to found; the airport was featured in the movie "Folks", and Mr. Clow had a cameo appearance in the film; the airport was eventually purchased by the Village of Bollingbrook and given the name Bollingbrook Clow International Airport; and

WHEREAS, He was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church of DuPage; he was a Cub Scout leader and a Special Deputy with the Will County Sheriff's Department; he was a member of the National Rifle Association, the Experimental Aircraft Association, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Ducks Unlimited, the Flying Farmers Association, and the Navioneers; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Boyd Clow has been deeply felt by many, especially his son, F. Andrew "Andy" (Sandra) Clow; his daughter, Susie (Danny) Clow-Threm; his loving companion, Myrna Walker; his grandchildren, Nathan F. Andrew "Drew" and Zachary Clow, Nicholas Clow, Oliver Clow-Threm, and Carissa Threm; in addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Franklin and Luella (Boyd) Clow; his brother, William Franklin Clow; and his sister, Caroline Collins; therefore, be it

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

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