SR1576 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1576 LRB101 22465 ECR 73547 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Byron Lloyd Bradford of Hindsboro, who passed away on October 14, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Byron Bradford was born to Chase and Joyce Bradford on October 20, 1938; he attended Arcola High School, where he was a center on the school's undefeated football teams of 1954 and 1955 and involved with the class play, the yearbook staff, the Letterman's Club, Arco-Lite, and FFA; he attended Eastern Illinois University where he earned his bachelor's degree and master's degree in education; he married Jean Miller on March 30, 1958; and

WHEREAS, Byron Bradford began his 49 year teaching and coaching career in Arcola in 1961; during that time, he taught 6th grade, junior high math, social studies, and P.E; he also coached basketball and track; as a high school teacher, he was an instructor of drivers education, health, and P.E. and served as a guidance counselor; his high school coaching included football, basketball, baseball, and golf; he and his mentor and best friend, Bob Avery, coached the legendary Arcola High School basketball team in 1963-1964; he also coached football with Steve Thomas, and they took teams to the state championship game in 1977, 1978, 1985, 1988, and 1991; he helped lead the Purple Rider football program to state championship wins in 1978, 1985, and 1988; he retired from Arcola High School in 1994 but worked part time until 2010, and that time included helping take the football team to the 1995 state championship; and

WHEREAS, Byron Bradford was a man of faith, integrity, strength, drive and patience; he had a deep desire to help others and did so as often as he could; he served as an elder, lay preacher, and Sunday school teacher and was presently attending the Truth and Grace Fellowship Church; and

WHEREAS, Byron Bradford loved spending days with his daughter Marla driving through the country, running errands, visiting with friends, watching his son-in-law Tony drag race, visiting his granddaughter Nicole and her husband Gabe, seeing his great-granddaughter Peyton dance, and watching his great-grandson Beckett grow and play; and

WHEREAS, Byron Bradford was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jean; his parents; and two of his very closest friends, Bob Avery and Steve Thomas; and

WHEREAS, Byron Bradford is survived by his daughter, Marla (Tony) Chrisagis; his granddaughter, Nicole (Gabe) Zuccarelli; his great-granddaughter, Peyton; his great-grandson, Beckett; his brother, Harold (LeeRae) Bradford, his brothers-in-law, Terry (Catherine) Miller and Ed (Cheryl) Miller; his nieces; his nephews; and the entire Arcola community of friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Byron Lloyd Bradford 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 Byron Bradford as an expression of our deepest sympathy.