SR0096 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0096 LRB099 07664 MST 27796 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Victor C. "Dick" Reynolds, Jr. of Peoria, who passed away on January 20, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Victor Reynolds, Jr. was born in Peoria on October 30, 1921 to Victor C., Sr. and Agnes (nee Mondot) Reynolds; and

WHEREAS, Victor Reynolds, Jr. graduated from the Spaulding Institute in 1939 and enlisted in the United States Navy; he was stationed on the river gunboat USS Luzon as a navigator, arriving in Manila Bay on December 6, 1941; he fought in the Battle of Corregidor from January to May of 1942 in the defense of the fortified islands of Manila Bay; he was captured by the Japanese on Corregidor on May 6, 1942; he was liberated on August 5, 1945 after being a prisoner of war for 3 years and 4 months; he arrived home in September of 1945 and was honorably discharged in 1950; he was awarded the Eight Year Good Conduct medal, the American Campaign medal, the Asia Occupation Service medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign medal, the Bataan/Corregidor Philippines medal with Bronze Battle Star, the Bronze Star with Combat V for Valor, the National Defense medal, the POW medal, the Philippines Presidential Unit citation, the Presidential Unit citation (Army), the Presidential Unit citation (Navy), the Purple Heart, the World War II Victory medal, and the Yangtze River Service medal; and

WHEREAS, Victor Reynolds, Jr. married Lucille Dooley on April 27, 1946; and

WHEREAS, Victor Reynolds, Jr. worked for Sealtest Dairy for 46 years, retiring in 1987; and

WHEREAS, Victor Reynolds, Jr. was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 814, the American Legion Peoria Post 2, the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor and South China Yangtze River Patrol Association; he was a past commander of the Heart of Illinois Chapter of American Ex-POW's and was a board member of the Peoria County WWII Memorial; and

WHEREAS, Victor Reynolds, Jr. often spoke to various organizations and schools about his experiences as a POW; he enjoyed fishing, being on the water, spending time with his family, and rooting for the Chicago Cubs; and

WHEREAS, Victor Reynolds, Jr. was preceded in death by his parents; his son, David C. Reynolds; his 2 brothers, James and Robert; and his son-in-law, E. Michael O'Brien; and

WHEREAS, Victor Reynolds, Jr. is survived by his wife, Lucille; his daughters, Molly (Pat) Farrell, Terry Reynolds O'Brien, and Sally (Timothy) Kenny; his sons, Dennis (Cathy) Reynolds and Kevin (Beth) Reynolds; his sister, Betty Pears; his daughter-in-law, Jane Nelson; his grandchildren, Amy Luczaj, Jenny Sheets, Daniel Reynolds, Alicia Fisher, Stacy Weller, Matthew Cain, Leigh Ann Cain, Emily Clelland, Erin Maloney, Conor O'Brien, Shelly King, Patrick Reynolds, Michael Reynolds, Bridget McNeeley, Caitlin Reynolds, Kelsey Reynolds, Adam Kenny, and Andrew Kenny and Sean Kenny; his 39 great-grandchildren; and his 2 great-great-grandsons; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Victor C. "Dick" Reynolds, Jr., 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 famly of Victor Reynolds, Jr. as an expression of our deepest sympathy.