SR0047 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0047 LRB094 07105 CSA 37855 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with sadness of the death of Leon DeSoto Curry of East St. Louis on January 4, 2005; and

WHEREAS, He was born June 16, 1919 in St. Louis, Missouri, and was a product of the St. Louis Public School System, graduating from Vashon High School in 1938; he attended Bradley University before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1940; he was honorably discharged in 1945 with the rank of Sergeant; and

WHEREAS, In 1946, he married Helen Dorion, and to this union five daughters and one son were born; on September 25, 1971, he married Gwendolyn G. Merriweather; he was a faithful member of St. Paul Baptist Church and served on the Trustee Ministry; and

WHEREAS, After serving in the military, he worked for the U.S. Post Office; he later received a degree in Business Administration and Accounting from St. Louis University, and worked for the Veteran's Administration for twenty years as a counselor of veteran's benefits, retiring in 1986; he was president of the AFCD Local and was head of the Credit Committee, later becoming a member of the board of directors for Arsenal Credit Union; he also worked many years with his brother at the Action Auto Repair Shop; he had a passion for the history of the Buffalo Soldiers and loved to enlighten others about this historical group; one of his most prestigious accomplishments was his life membership with the Ninth and Tenth Horse Cavalry Association; he served proudly as the 2nd Vice-President of membership for the Association for a total of fifteen years; and

WHEREAS, Leon was a knowledgeable and diligent man when it came to assisting clients, family, and friends; he left those who knew him richer and wiser; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Leon, Jr.; and a daughter, Ellen Lynette; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Leon DeSoto Curry will be felt by his loving and devoted wife, Gwendolyn (nee Gillespie); his children, Sheryl (John) Beacon, Yvonne (Flemming) Hansen, Renee' Curry, Lynnda Curry, Brenda Merriweather Franklin, Phillip (Karin) Merriweather, Sr., and JoAnn Merriweather Holt; his grandchildren, Angela, Phil Jr., Terrance, Staci, Brady, Courtney, Crystal, Anjanette, and Mariah; his great-grandchildren, Erick, Kamre', and Jaylen; his siblings, Louis (Dorothy) Preston and Doris Calvert Black; his numerous loving nieces and nephews; and his St. Paul Church Family; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Leon DeSoto Curry and we extend our sincerest condolences to his family, friends, and community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to his family as an expression of our deepest sympathy.