SR1346LRB101 21969 LAW 72979 r


  
1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Henry D. "Hank" Thomas of Rock Island, 
4who passed away on July 28, 2020; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Henry Thomas was born in Mason City, Iowa to Henry 
6H. and Clara (Hancq) Thomas on January 19, 1941; he graduated 
7from Rock Island High School in 1959; he served in the U.S. 
8Army and was stationed in Germany; he married Roberta Belton in 
9Geneseo on June 12, 1965, and she preceded him in death on 
10March 8, 2002; and
  
 
11    WHEREAS, Henry Thomas worked for Ralston Purina for more 
12than 38 years; he retired as a forklift operator in 2006; and
  
 
13    WHEREAS, As a young man, Henry Thomas participated in many 
14high school sports, including track and field, basketball, 
15football, and wrestling; he was involved in the Letterman's 
16Club, intramurals, and the Junior Optimist Club; he enjoyed 
17attending high school and college sporting events with friends, 
18watching all sports and game shows on television, participating 
19in bowling, and playing softball; he loved Rock Island High 
20School, and as  an avid fan, he donated much of his time to Rock 
21Island sports programs, particularly track and field; he was a 
22proud member of the Berean Baptist Church and was baptized 
 
 
SR1346- 2 -LRB101 21969 LAW 72979 r

1there in 2011; and
  
 
2    WHEREAS, Henry Thomas was preceded in death by his wife, 
3Roberta; his parents; and his brother, N. Charles Thomas; and
  
 
4    WHEREAS, Henry Thomas is survived by his children, Steven 
5R. Thomas, Amanda N. Thomas, and Lisa Decker; his 
6grandchildren, Jenelle L. Thomas, Steven R. Thomas II, Sarah 
7Decker, Isabella Decker, and Matthew Decker; his four 
8great-grandchildren; his siblings, Richard Thomas, Marilyn 
9DeKoster, Jerry (Nancy) Thomas, Clare (Jim) Taylor, Thomas 
10(Lisa) Thomas, Margaret-Ann (George) Niquette, Elizabeth 
11(John) McGonigle, and Kent (Nancy) Thomas; and his special 
12friend and companion, Sue Morris; therefore, be it
  
 
13    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL 
14ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
15Henry D. "Hank" Thomas and extend our sincere condolences to 
16his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it 
17further
  
 
18    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
19presented to the family of Henry Thomas as an expression of our 
20deepest sympathy.