SR0924 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0924 LRB103 40267 LAW 72264 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Fred A. Brown of Moline, who passed away on April 10, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Fred Brown was born to Odis and Ora (Black) Brown in Beaverton, Alabama on March 30, 1932; he married Cathy Cathelyn in 1952, and they had three children, Veronica, John, and Terry; he served in the U.S. Army at Fort Tilden, New York for two years, and he was honorably discharged in 1954; he then served in the U.S. Army Reserve at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin for six years; he later married Sue McFate and gained two stepchildren, Tim and Tracy; and

WHEREAS, Fred Brown was a self-made man, first working in Florida at the age of 15; he later worked in Waukegan, Illinois and proceeded to work at the Rock Island Arsenal; he then relocated to Huntsville, Alabama, where he worked on the Apollo Saturn V rocket for two years; he returned to work at the Rock Island Arsenal, retiring in 1987; and

WHEREAS, Fred Brown was a proud member of Doric Lodge 319 A.F. & A.M. for over 60 years, the Scottish Rite Valley of Moline as a 32nd degree member, the Kaaba Shrine for over 50 years, and East Moline American Legion, Post 227 for 47 years; and

WHEREAS, Fred Brown loved traveling, gardening, watching NASCAR, and remodeling homes; in retirement, he took pride in placing flags on the graves of late family members and friends who had served their country; and

WHEREAS, Fred Brown was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Billy (Virginia) Brown and John Brown; and his nieces, Jan and Carla Brown; and

WHEREAS, Fred Brown is survived by his wife, Sue Brown; his children, Veronica (Sylvester) Richardson, John Brown, and Terry (Debbie) Brown; his stepchildren, Tim Retzl and Tracy Retzl; his grandchildren, Joseph Brown, Cody (Catherine) Brown, Zach Retzl, Ty Retzl, Adrian Retzl, Dan (Lisa) Erickson, and Shane (Tiffany) Erickson; his great-grandchildren, Theo and Everett; his brother, Carl (Charlotte) Brown; his sister-in-law, Earline Brown; his niece, Theresa Brown; and his nephews, Rex and Curtis Brown; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Fred A. Brown 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 Fred Brown as an expression of our deepest sympathy.