SR0119 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0119 LRB101 11051 MST 56255 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of James "Jim" Hixson of Silvis, who passed away on January 19, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Jim Hixson was born to Marvin Emery and Ellen Henrietta Olivier Hixson on September 4, 1949; his early years in Colona were spent hunting, fishing, trapping, raising farm animals, training horses, and working with his father in Hixson's Heating and Plumbing; he graduated from United Township High School in 1967 and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1968; he served with the 2nd Ordnance/Field Maintenance Company 4th Marines through 1974; he married Jacqueline Guerrero on September 26, 1977; and

WHEREAS, Jim Hixson worked at the George Evans Corporation and John Deere as a welder and metal worker repairman for 17 years; he also worked at Quad City Downs, Casino Rock Island, and Rock Valley Industrial Therapy; and

WHEREAS, In 1994 at age 45, Jim Hixson enrolled at Western Illinois University; he graduated summa cum laude in 1996 and taught in the Silvis/East Moline Elementary and Junior High School districts from 1998 to 2003; and

WHEREAS, Jim Hixson was a service-connected disabled veteran; he was a lifetime member of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 299 and the Disabled American Veterans, where he served as managing editor of the chapter newsletter, Shoulder To Shoulder; he played Taps as a bugler with Bugles Across America; and

WHEREAS, Jim Hixson enjoyed spending time with his family and many friends, music, reading, gardening and lawn work, and utilizing his home gym throughout the years; he and his wife renewed their wedding vows in 2008; and

WHEREAS, Jim Hixson was immensely proud of being Native American; he received his third Sioux Eagle Feather in 2008 and acceded to elder status as a Lakota pipe carrier; and

WHEREAS, Jim Hixson was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Donna; his brother-in-law, Bill Dailing; and his father-in-law, Roy Guerrero; and

WHEREAS, Jim Hixson is survived by his wife, Jackie; his daughters, Andrea (Brian) Nehlsen and Alissa Hixson; his grandsons, Vincent, Sage, Oliver, and Archer; his sisters, Janet Dailing and Jody (Chris) McClain; his mother-in-law, Rufina Guerrero; his brother-in-law, Earle McBride; and numerous nieces and nephews; 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 James "Jim" Hixson 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 Jim Hixson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.