HR0732 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0732 LRB096 15392 KXB 30552 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of O.C. "Dixie" O'Hara of Woodstock, who passed away on October 2, 2009; and

WHEREAS, He was born July 6, 1918, in Princeton, Kentucky, to Fred and Mildred (Martin) O'Hara; in 1937, he graduated from Dixon High School, which is where he got the nickname, "Dixie"; he married Evelyn B. O'Hara (Eisenberg) on August 23, 1941; in 1942, he graduated from Northern Illinois State Teachers College (now Northern Illinois University), where he earned varsity letters in football; his son, daughter, son-in-law, and a granddaughter and her husband, all graduated from Northern Illinois University, which became a family meeting ground for sporting events; he also received his master's degree in school administration from the University of Illinois in 1949; and

WHEREAS, After serving in the United States Army, he returned to teaching and coaching; he spent 29 years at Woodstock High School, coaching six sports and serving as athletic director, dean of boys, and assistant principal; he left Woodstock High School in 1975 to be assistant regional superintendent of schools for McHenry County; in 1983, he was elected superintendent of schools for McHenry County until he retired in 1987; in 1988, he was elected to the McHenry County Board, where he served for four years; at age 74, he became Marian Central High School's golf coach until 1999; and

WHEREAS, On August 12, 2001, he married Josie Pace of McHenry and had another eight years of love and companionship; shortly thereafter, they moved to Sun City in Huntley; and

WHEREAS, His passion for golf was endless, serving as golf coach at two high schools for more than 20 years; he was a longtime member of Woodstock Country Club and was elected board president in 1963; he also served as ranger/starter at Crystal Woods, Marengo Ridge, and Whisper Creek golf courses; and

WHEREAS, He served as Republican precinct committeeman for 38 years, ran the McHenry County Republican Play Day for 37 years, and was inducted into the McHenry County Republican Party Hall of Fame in 1998; he also was a member of the Presidential Electoral College in 1980 and cast one of the 26 Illinois votes for Ronald Reagan; and

WHEREAS, He always was involved in community activities in Woodstock; he was a past commander of the American Legion and served as the American Legion Boy's State chairman of school awards for 45 years, chairman of Elks youth activities for six years, organized the Woodstock American Cancer Society in 1987, was a Youth Service Board member for three years, and was involved in Woodstock Summer Recreation program, Cub Scouts, and Little League; and

WHEREAS, His number one passion was the Woodstock Lions Club; he was secretary for 37 years and also a past president; he was the Lions Club Citizen of the Year in 1989 and earned the International Lions Club Key Award, which is the club's highest honor for recruiting new members, ranking him in the top 25 in the world; after moving to Huntley, he was president of the Sun City Lions Club; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Carrie Jane; his brother, Jack; and his first wife, Evelyn; and

WHEREAS, O.C. O'Hara is survived by his wife, Josie; his daughter, Judith (Thomas) Dowling; his son, David (Joey) O'Hara; his four granddaughters, Susan (David) Messmann, Megan (Jim) Zemanek, Lauren (Tom) Jenrette, and Courtney O'Hara; his four great-grandchildren, McKenzie, Landon, McKayla, and McKenna; and several nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of O.C. O'Hara; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of O.C. "Dixie" O'Hara as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.