SR1543 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1543 LRB099 20759 MST 45422 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of James Reed "Pappy" "Jim" Rodney of Moline, who passed away on February 16, 2016; and

WHEREAS, James Rodney was born in Canton to Albert and Mary Reed Rodney on February 3, 1941; he graduated from Canton High School in 1959 and married Bonnie Ironfield later that year in Denver, Colorado; he was a missile instructor in the United States Air Force for 8 years, achieving the rank of Airman First Class; he married Sunny Grotegeer in Canton in 1973; and

WHEREAS, James Rodney worked at International Harvester for 11 years before owning and operating Woodstoves N' Things in Orion for several years; he became the sales manager at Sexton Ford in Moline and then opened Scotty's Car Wash in East Moline, retiring in 2005; and

WHEREAS, James Rodney loved fishing and raising tropical fish, building model airplanes, woodworking, and gardening; he had a passion for British sports cars (at one time owning 2 at the same time); in his younger days, he loved riding motorcycles and hunting morel mushrooms; he enjoyed spending time with friends and family at the Pauper's Den in East Moline and the Yankee Doodle in Moline; he loved watching his children and grandchildren play sports; he had a passion for the Chicago Cubs and had hoped to see them win a World Series in his lifetime; and

WHEREAS, James Rodney was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Scott; his son-in-law, Rick Schultz; and his ex-wife, Bonnie Rodney; and

WHEREAS, James Rodney is survived by his loving wife, Sunny Rodney; his children and their spouses, Donna and Dave Hoffman, Bill Rodney, James II and Annia Rodney, Carrie Schultz, Chris and Anne McGatha, Kim Rodney, and Kelli Rodney and Kevin Cook; his 12 grandchildren; his 15 great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Donald and Cindy Rodney, and Deborah and Mary Rodney; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of James Reed "Pappy" "Jim" Rodney, 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 James Rodney as an expression of our deepest sympathy.