HR0967 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0967 LRB097 21163 GRL 68657 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of John Thomas Clark, Jr.; and

WHEREAS, John Clark, Jr. was born on May 18, 1921, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; his parents were John Thomas Clark, Sr. and Patricia Ferguson; he married Ruth Clark in 1949 and later separated; he married Margaret Williams in 1964; and

WHEREAS, Following the separation of his parents at the age of 4, John Clark, Jr. and his older sister, Marion, moved with their mother to Chicago; he later attended Forrestville Elementary School and graduated from John Farren Elementary School; after briefly attending Englewood High School, he graduated from Parker High School (now Paul Robeson High School) in December of 1938; after high school, he attended the University of Illinois for one year before finishing his baccalaureate degree at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri; while at Lincoln University, he was initiated into the Alpha Psi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity on April 1, 1945; he subsequently moved back to Chicago after graduating from Lincoln University and began working jobs that mostly focused on manufacturing; and

WHEREAS, John Clark, Jr. manufactured aircraft engines at Buick Motors during the early years of World War II; and

WHEREAS, John Clark, Jr. began working for the State of Illinois in April of 1951; in January of 1974, he moved to the State of Illinois Department of Public Aid, where he remained until his retirement in February of 1995; he also worked for Sears Roebuck and Company; after his son, Eric, left for college, he and Margaret traveled the world, visiting Europe, Asia, and South America; and

WHEREAS, John Clark, Jr. was an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and of the Xi Lambda Chapter; he served as the Regional Secretary under Midwest Regional Vice President Bro. Thomas Pawley; he also served in various offices in Xi Lambda Chapter, including his last office as Associate Editor of the Sphinx, supported chapter events, and attended Alpha conventions; in 1983, he was raised to the level of 3rd Degree Master Mason in North Star Lodge #1 of the Princehall Grand Lodge; and

WHEREAS, John Clark, Jr. was an avid bridge player who played in many regional and national tournaments, winning many of them even late in his bridge playing career; he was also a long time member of the Midwest Bridge Unit; and

WHEREAS, John Clark, Jr. was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Margaret; his parents; and his sister, Marion; and

WHEREAS, John Clark, Jr. is survived by his sons, Phillip, Dennis, John III, and Eric Clark, Sr.; his daughters-in-law, Evelyn Clark and Michelle Harris; his grandchildren, Devin, Aaron, Christine, Jordan, Dana, Eric, Jr., Caiyah, Tasia, Justice, Zyra, and Andrew Clark; and his many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of John Thomas Clark, Jr.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of John Clark, Jr. as an expression of our sympathy.