SR1048 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1048 LRB097 23694 GRL 72768 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Sam H. McGowen of Mascoutah, who passed away on November 21, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Sam McGowen was a native of Puxico, Missouri; he married his loving wife, Sue, on August 27, 1988, in Puxico, Missouri; and

WHEREAS, Sam McGowen attended Southeast Missouri State University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in social studies/English in 1966; he subsequently earned his master's degree at SEMO and a doctorate degree at St. Louis University; and

WHEREAS, Sam McGowen had a long and distinguished career in education; he began his career in 1967 as a social studies teacher in Bonne Terre, Missouri, and worked his way through progressive assignments as an elementary principal and junior high principal and superintendent in Bonne Terre; he later accepted positions as superintendent in Dexter, Missouri and Paris, Illinois, before becoming the Superintendent of Schools for District 19 in Mascoutah in 1994; he served as Superintendent of District 19 until June of 2012; and

WHEREAS, Sam McGowen was in active and reserve military service with the Missouri Army National Guard for 27 years, primarily in Army engineer battalions; at the time of his retirement in 1993, he had achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel; and

WHEREAS, Sam McGowen was preceded in death by his father, Hubert McGowen; and

WHEREAS, Sam McGowen is survived by his wife, Sue M. McGowen; his children, Bonnie McBurney, Brian (Peggy) McGowen, Sarah (Roy) Phillips, and Nan (Brad) Beaird; his grandchildren, Ryan and Chadd McBurney, Kristan McGowen, Arriel (Cody) Smith, Parke and Ben Phillips, and Leam and Landon Beaird; his mother, Wilma McGowen; and his brothers, Jim (Marsha) McGowen and Terry (Trish) McGowen; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Dr. Sam H. McGowen; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of Sam McGowen as an expression of our sympathy.