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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Gary Wayne Rich of West Frankfort, who 
4passed away on January 4, 2012; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, He was born on November 6, 1954, in Herrin, the 
6son of Obie Gene and Hazel June (Hawkins) Rich; he grew up in 
7West Frankfort and graduated from Frankfort Community High 
8School; he married Lisa Jean Bowyer in 1974; he later married 
9Lora Marie Willmore; and
  
 
10    WHEREAS, His interests included Tae Kwon Do, and his 
11passion for the martial arts and his desire to teach others led 
12him to open The American Tae Kwon Do Academy in West Frankfort; 
13he achieved the ranking of 5th degree black belt; he also 
14obtained training in massage therapy at Rend Lake College; his 
15desire for learning and helping others led him to Healing Touch 
16and Reiki; he was a certified Healing Touch instructor and a 
17Reiki Master; and
  
 
18    WHEREAS, He first explored coal mining before deciding on 
19the Department of Corrections as his lifelong employer;  in his 
2027 years working for the Department of Corrections, the first 9 
21were at the Shawnee Correctional Facility with the remainder as 
22a shift commander at the Du Quoin Impact Incarceration Program; 
 
 
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1he put together a tutoring program that helped inmates with 
2substandard reading skills effectively raise their reading 
3abilities; and
  
 
4    WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by both parents; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Gary Rich is survived by his wife; his sons, Gabe 
6and Kyle Rich; his grandchildren, Lillie and Bella; his large 
7extended family, including Dennis and Donna Sminchak, David and 
8Linda Rich, Betty Caraway, and Jim and Monica Rich; he is also 
9survived by 5 nephews and 6 nieces; therefore, be it
  
 
10    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL 
11ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with 
12his family and friends, the passing of Gary Rich; and be it 
13further
  
 
14    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
15presented to the family of Gary Rich as a symbol of our sincere 
16sympathy.