HR0164 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0164 LRB098 11367 MST 42916 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Jerry B. Symons of Jacksonville, former owner of WLDS-WEAI radio stations, who passed away on March 11, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Symons was born on August 17, 1942, in Jacksonville to James Lyndall and Pauline Barton Symons; he graduated in 1960 from Jacksonville High School, where he was class president, and from Illinois College in 1964, where he was a member and past president of Sigma Pi; he married Sharon Baker on August 28, 1964, at Central Christian Church in Jacksonville; he joined the Air National Guard in 1966 and attended Officer's Candidate School with the U.S. Air Force in San Antonio, Texas, where he achieved the rank of Second Lieutenant in 1967; he served as a member of the Illinois Air National Guard (183rd Tactical Fighter Group) for almost 25 years, retiring in December of 1990 with the rank of Lt. Colonel; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Symons began his radio career in 1961 while a student at Illinois College; he spent the next 51 years working for WLDS/WEAI Radio; he was a deejay from 1961-1964, news director from 1964-1981, and station manager from 1981-1989; in 1989, he formed Jerdon Broadcasting with his friend and partner, Don Hamilton, to purchase the stations; he served as co-owner and general manager until the stations were sold in July of 2008; he continued to serve as consultant and sports director, a position he has held since 1964; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Symons was a dedicated volunteer and devoted hours to the betterment of his community; he took part in special projects and speaking engagements at schools and other organizations, chaired a mayoral advisory committee that resulted in the creation of Community Park and the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce office, and co-chaired a successful campaign to achieve Home Rule status for the City of Jacksonville; in addition, he was a member and past president of the Jacksonville Kiwanis Club, where he was named Distinguished Kiwanian in 2002 and a Hixson Fellow in 2005, a former director and past president of Passavant Hospital, a former trustee for Illinois College, a former chairman of the West Central Illinois All-Star Basketball Classic, a former founding member of the Morgan County Sheriff's Merit Commission, a past president of the Committee for the Advancement of Higher Education, and a former director of the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Symons was a life-long member of Central Christian Church, where he served as chairman of the General Board, Deacon, Elder, and treasurer of the Board of Trustees; he was a devotee of youth baseball and coached Elks Youth Baseball and Pony-Colt League Baseball for many years, where he was recognized for 17 years of service as the Pony-Colt League treasurer; he most recently served on the Jacksonville Public School Foundation Board of Directors, the Jacksonville Sports Hall of Fame Committee, and the Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Council; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Symons, known to the community as the voice of the Jacksonville Crimsons, was named to the Jacksonville High School Hall of Fame and the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame; he was twice awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the Illinois High School Association and received the Silver Dome Award for Sportscasting from the Illinois Broadcasters Association; he was also the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award at Illinois College and the Friend of Education Award from the Jacksonville Education Association; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Symons was preceded in death by his parents; his aunt, Martha Symons; and his mother-in-law, Mary Baker; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Symons is survived by his wife, Sharon; his daughter, Amy Jackson (Edward); his son, Stephen Symons (Cammie); his grandchildren, Molly, Grace and Ben Jackson, and Amelia and Cody Symons; his siblings, James Symons (Judy), Andrew Symons (Linda), Jennifer Symons, and Alan Symons (Valerie); his several nieces and nephews; and his sister-in-law, Julie Watanabe (Brent); therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Jerry Symons, and we 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 Jerry Symons as an expression of our deepest sympathy.