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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened 
3to learn of the death of Robert Kent "Bob" Gray of Springfield, 
4who passed away on September 23, 2024; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Bob Gray, the son of Robert Ardell and Madge 
6Marie Crews Gray, was born in West Frankfort on March 22, 1940; 
7he graduated from O'Fallon Township High School; he earned his 
8bachelor's and master's degrees from Southern Illinois 
9University; he married Judith Ann "Judy" Santeford in Chicago 
10Heights on August 15, 1964, and they were married for 55 years; 
11in his later years, he found companionship with Vena Garrett; 
12and
 
13    WHEREAS, Bob Gray taught at Proviso West High School and 
14The Ohio State University, and he served as a school 
15administer at the Dundee Community Unit School District 300; 
16after moving to Springfield in 1967, he held a long career in 
17state politics and government, retiring in 2002; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Bob Gray served as president of the Springfield 
19Jaycees, president of the Illinois Jaycees, a longtime 
20precinct committeeman of the Sangamon County Republicans, and 
21a member of the American Business Club; he was also president 
22and co-founder of the Citizens Club of Springfield, a platform 
 
 
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1dedicated to civic engagement and local improvement; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Bob Gray was recognized as an Outstanding Young 
3Man by the Springfield Chamber of Commerce in 1972 and as 
4Springfield's First Citizen by the State Journal-Register in 
52009, and he was inducted to the Illinois Jaycees Hall of Fame 
6in 2022; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Bob Gray was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan; 
8and
 
9    WHEREAS, Bob Gray will be remembered as a dedicated 
10educator, a community leader, and a beloved father; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Bob Gray was preceded in death by his parents and 
12his wife; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Bob Gray is survived by his son, Kent Gray; his 
14grandsons, Harrison and Oliver Gray; and his sister, Pamela 
15McDaniel; therefore, be it
 
16    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL 
17ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
18Robert Kent "Bob" Gray and extend our sincere condolences to 
19his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it 
20further
 
 
 
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1    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
2presented to the family of Bob Gray as an expression of our 
3deepest sympathy.