HR1600 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1600 LRB095 23049 GRL 53582 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Leonard G. "Spunky" Patton Jr. of West Frankfort, who passed away on November 9, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Patton Jr. was born on August 21, 1945 in West Frankfort; his parents were L. Goebel Patton and Eileen H. Howell; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Patton Jr. was a graduate of Southern Illinois University; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Patton Jr. was the owner and operator of the Howell Insurance Agency in West Frankfort, which was founded in 1914; a member of the third generation of the family-owned agency, he became fully involved in the business in the early 1970s; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Patton Jr. served his country with pride and distinction as a member of the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Patton Jr. was an avid supporter of youth and Redbird athletics; the youth tackle program Mr. Patton helped to create enjoyed its inaugural season in the fall of 1974 and lasted for ten years, before he helped to bring it to life once more in the late 1990s; he also coached girl's softball in tandem with Frankfort Community Park legend Bill McKee and helped bring about a grade school flag football program in the mid 1990s; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Patton Jr. is survived by his wife, Susan; his sons, Jason Patton and Ryan Patton; his daughters, Trish Blank and her husband, Bill, and their children, Ria and William, and Torie Patton; his father, L. Goebel Patton; and his sister, Penelope Tippy and her husband, Roger; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Patton Jr. was preceded in death by his mother, Eileen Lucas, and his sister, Colleen Hickey; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Leonard G. "Spunky" Patton Jr.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Leonard Patton Jr. as an expression of our sympathy.