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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Bobby "Bolo" Lay of Chicago, who passed
4away on January 21, 2019; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Bobby Lay was born in Chicago to Samuel "Sam" and
6Elizabeth "Liz" (Burits) Lay on December 8, 1960; he committed
7to his faith at an early age at Christ Temple Tabernacle
8Missionary Baptist Church, where he also served as an usher; he
9joined the Boy Scouts when he was in fifth grade and was a Star
10Scout and in the Leadership Corp.; he attended Whitney Young
11High School, where he was a member of the football team and the
12wrestling team and played the trumpet in the orchestra; he
13graduated in 1979 and then attended Wright Junior College for
14two years; he transferred to Columbia College, where he
15graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Communications
16and a minor in English in 1985; he married Joyce E. Brumfield
17on November 27, 1992; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Bobby Lay played semi-professional football with
19the Chicago Apaches for one year; he then returned to Whitney
20Young High School to coach the freshman and sophomore football
21team from 1983 until 1995; in 1990, he joined Habilitative
22System, Inc. as a social worker; throughout his career, he
23worked as a social worker for various social service agencies;

 

 

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1he also worked as a professional videographer for over 25 years
2and videotaped many high school football games, Omega Psi Phi
3events, weddings, and special occasions; and
 
4    WHEREAS, In 1987, Bobby Lay joined the Omega Psi Phi
5Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Omega Chapter as one of the Sons of
6Aeolus; after leaving his initial chapter, he assisted in the
7reactivation of the Iota Chapter and served as Keeper of
8Records and Seal; he received many awards, including the Iota
9Chapter Omega Man of the Year in 2006, the Iota Chapter Scroll
10of Honor Award for Keeper of Records and Seal in 2009, the Iota
11Chapter Citizen of the Year in 2011, and the 10th District
12Citizen of the Year in 2012; after he returned to the Sigma
13Omega Chapter, he served as a member of the Archives and
14Memorabilia Committee; he exemplified the fraternity's four
15cardinal principles of Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and
16Uplift during his over 30 years of service; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Bobby Lay had a quiet demeanor and a big heart; he
18was often referred to as a "gentle giant"; he was always
19willing to help others; he loved Chicago and was an avid fan of
20the Chicago Bears and the Pittsburgh Steelers; he and his wife
21were known for hosting great Super Bowl parties; and
 
22    WHEREAS, Bobby Lay was preceded in death by his mother,
23Liz; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Bobby Lay is survived by his wife, Joyce; his
2sons, Robert F. (Allison) Lay and Christopher J. Lay; his
3father Samuel J. "Sam" Lay; his sister, Debbie Lay; his
4brother, Michael D. Lay; his father-in-law, Myrtis Brumfield;
5his brothers-in-law, Leander "Pete" (Norie) Brumfield Sr.,
6Curtis Brumfield, and Derrick T. Brumfield; his many aunts,
7uncles, and cousins; his Brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity;
8his mentor, Coach Prince; his fellow Whitney Young Alumni; and
9his friends; therefore, be it
 
10    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
11ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
12Bobby "Bolo" Lay and extend our sincere condolences to his
13family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
14further
 
15    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
16presented to the family of Bobby Lay as an expression of our
17deepest sympathy.