HR0143 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0143 LRB095 10835 KXB 31097 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of retired police lieutenant James N. Gentry of Decatur, who passed away on January 18, 2007; and

WHEREAS, James Gentry was born on November 29, 1931; his parents were Fred and Luelle Arnold Gentry; he married Sandra Sue Michaels on September 23, 1956; and

WHEREAS, He served in the United States Navy and was an Electronics Mate aboard the U.S.S. Midway; and

WHEREAS, James Gentry was a graduate of Richland Community College, attended Millikin University, and graduated from Northwestern University Traffic Institute; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Gentry joined the Decatur Police Department in 1956; he worked as a Patrolman, Detective, Juvenile Officer, and Sergeant; upon graduation from Northwestern University Traffic Institute he was promoted to Lieutenant and retired in 1986 in that position; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Gentry was a life member of the Police Benevolent and Protective Association, the First Christian Church, was President of the Decatur Shrine Club, Exalted Ruler B.P.O.E. #401, a Commander of the American Legion, and a member of the Moose Lodge; and

WHEREAS, He was instrumental in building the memorial on the grounds of the Macon County Courthouse, where his father's name, his brother Jack's name, and his name are all inscribed; and

WHEREAS, He was a Fighting Illini fan and attended many of their football and basketball games; he was a St. Louis Cardinals fan; he loved Jeff Gordon and Nascar; he loved golf, sometimes playing 3 or 4 times a week; he loved all kinds of music; he loved gardening and his flowers; and he loved people, never meeting a stranger; and

WHEREAS, He was an active member of the Republican Party, serving as a precinct committeeman; he was a member of the National Rifle Association, the Royal Order of Court Jesters 20, and was on the board of the Police Training Institute in Champaign; and

WHEREAS, James Gentry was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Fred Jr., and his sister, Betty; and

WHEREAS, James Gentry is survived by his wife, Sandra; his son, James N. II, and his wife, Okanna, and their children, Adam, Colin, and Katherine; his daughter, Amy Dianne Brown and her husband, Bill, and their children, Claire, Ryan, and William; his brothers, Jack and C. Lyle; and his sisters, Shirley Thurber, and Avis Hallock; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of James N. Gentry; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of James N. Gentry as a symbol of our sympathy.