SR0715 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0715 LRB099 12965 MST 36832 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of John L. Davis, who passed away on June 22, 2015; and

WHEREAS, John Davis was born in Boston, Massachusetts; he graduated from Indiana University, where he was an All-American defensive back on the 1949, 1950, and 1951 Indiana University football teams; in 3 years, he did not miss a minute of defensive play, and, in his last 2 seasons, the Hoosiers ranked in the top 3 in the nation in pass defense; he served in the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, After graduating with distinction, John Davis was a third round draft pick of the Chicago Cardinals in 1952, but declined the contract offer in order to continue his education and coaching; he continued as assistant freshman coach in 1952 and 1953 and advanced to become Indiana University's varsity backfield coach in 1954; he later moved to the Joliet area and embarked on a long career with Joliet Township High Schools, where he held numerous teaching, coaching, and administrative positions, including Dean of Students and Vice-Principal; upon retiring, he served as the Assistant Athletic Director for Indiana University; and

WHEREAS, John Davis was an avid outdoorsman and spent many summers running a boys summer camp, Ottawa Trails, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan; and

WHEREAS, John Davis is survived by his wife of 59 years, Dorothy (nee Cassidy) Davis; his children, John T. Davis, Madonna (Mike) Gale, Gerard (Crystal) Davis, Kathleen (Len) Capristo, and Dennis (Claudia) Davis; his grandchildren, Michael Gale, Andrew Davis, Patrick Gale, Nicholas Davis, Gabrielle Davis, Ryne Davis, Sheridan Davis, and Tyler Capristo; as well as numerous nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of John L. Davis, and extend 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 the family of John Davis as an expression of our deepest sympathy.