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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Byron Lloyd Bradford of Hindsboro, who
4passed away on October 14, 2020; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Byron Bradford was born to Chase and Joyce
6Bradford on October 20, 1938; he attended Arcola High School,
7where he was a center on the school's undefeated football teams
8of 1954 and 1955 and involved with the class play, the yearbook
9staff, the Letterman's Club, Arco-Lite, and FFA; he attended
10Eastern Illinois University where he earned his bachelor's
11degree and master's degree in education; he married Jean Miller
12on March 30, 1958; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Byron Bradford began his 49 year teaching and
14coaching career in Arcola in 1961; during that time, he taught
156th grade, junior high math, social studies, and P.E; he also
16coached basketball and track; as a high school teacher, he was
17an instructor of drivers education, health, and P.E. and served
18as a guidance counselor; his high school coaching included
19football, basketball, baseball, and golf; he and his mentor and
20best friend, Bob Avery, coached the legendary Arcola High
21School basketball team in 1963-1964; he also coached football
22with Steve Thomas, and they took teams to the state
23championship game in 1977, 1978, 1985, 1988, and 1991; he

 

 

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1helped lead the Purple Rider football program to state
2championship wins in 1978, 1985, and 1988; he retired from
3Arcola High School in 1994 but worked part time until 2010, and
4that time included helping take the football team to the 1995
5state championship; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Byron Bradford was a man of faith, integrity,
7strength, drive and patience; he had a deep desire to help
8others and did so as often as he could; he served as an elder,
9lay preacher, and Sunday school teacher and was presently
10attending the Truth and Grace Fellowship Church; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Byron Bradford loved spending days with his
12daughter Marla driving through the country, running errands,
13visiting with friends, watching his son-in-law Tony drag race,
14visiting his granddaughter Nicole and her husband Gabe, seeing
15his great-granddaughter Peyton dance, and watching his
16great-grandson Beckett grow and play; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Byron Bradford was preceded in death by his
18beloved wife, Jean; his parents; and two of his very closest
19friends, Bob Avery and Steve Thomas; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Byron Bradford is survived by his daughter, Marla
21(Tony) Chrisagis; his granddaughter, Nicole (Gabe) Zuccarelli;
22his great-granddaughter, Peyton; his great-grandson, Beckett;

 

 

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1his brother, Harold (LeeRae) Bradford, his brothers-in-law,
2Terry (Catherine) Miller and Ed (Cheryl) Miller; his nieces;
3his nephews; and the entire Arcola community of friends;
4therefore, be it
 
5    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
6ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
7Byron Lloyd Bradford and extend our sincere condolences to his
8family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
9further
 
10    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
11presented to the family of Byron Bradford as an expression of
12our deepest sympathy.