SR0159 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with regret of the death of James Duke Curran of Quincy on Saturday, April 9, 2005; and

WHEREAS, He was born on July 23, 1921, in Chicago to Edward and Florida Mary (Meyer) Curran; he married Barbara Jean Lee on November 18, 1944, in Bloomington; she preceded him in death on December 25, 1996; he later married Jane (Gardner) Tanner on January 26, 2002, at St. Peter Catholic Church; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Curran was a 1941 graduate of Quincy Senior High School, where he was an All-State football player; he is a member of the Quincy High School Hall of Fame in both football and track; he continued his football career after high school, becoming an All-American football player for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes and also playing for the Navy Seahawks while in the service; and

WHEREAS, He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa and later received a master's degree in science; he valiantly served his country as a member of the U.S. Navy Air Corps during World War II, serving as a night fighter pilot and a pilot instructor; and

WHEREAS, Over the years, Mr. Curran owned and operated Curran Real Estate and Curran Construction Company; from 1975 until his retirement in 1987, he was the activities director for the Illinois Veterans Home; and

WHEREAS, He was an active and devoted member of St. Peter Catholic Church; he was a member of the St. Peter Social Concerns Committee, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and a past board member of the Madonna House; and

WHEREAS, The passing of James Duke Curran has been deeply felt by many, especially his wife, Jane; his sons, Michael Curran and his wife, Cathy, James Curran, Thomas Curran and his wife, Vicky, Mark Curran, Kevin Curran, Gregory Curran and his wife, Michelle, Patrick Curran and his wife, Betty, Dr. Douglas Curran and his wife, Chante, and Peter Curran; his daughters, Catherine Curran Jarratt and her husband, Robert, Sally Curran Brown and her husband, Rick, and Dr. Anne Lowey and her husband, Dr. Ken; his stepsons, Greg Tanner and Kevin Tanner; his stepdaughter, Melissa Tanner; his 29 grandchildren; his four step-grandchildren; his seven great-grandchildren; and his two step-great-grandchildren; in addition to his first wife, Mr. Curran was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Dr. Christopher Duke Curran; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of James Duke Curran, and we offer 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 his family as an expression of our deepest sympathy.