SR1532 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1532 LRB100 21255 MST 37490 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Jerome Samuel Johnson; and

WHEREAS, Jerome Johnson was born to Milton P. and Katherine Goolsby Johnson on November 25, 1946; he attended Kozminski Elementary School and Hyde Park High School; he served in the United States Army in Vietnam, where he achieved the rank of 1st Lieutenant and served as commanding officer of his platoon; his leadership was widely publicized by former United States Senator and Secretary of Defense, Charles Hagel, who served under Jerome; he earned two Silver Stars for his service; he married Laura Meriweather on September 6, 1969; and

WHEREAS, Jerome Johnson retired from Commonwealth Edison and embarked on a second career as a funeral director; and

WHEREAS, Jerome Johnson was affectionately known as "Rome"; he was a part-time comedian, part-time biblical scholar, part-time philosopher, and full-time man of leisure; and

WHEREAS, Jerome Johnson was preceded in death by his parents; his mother-in-love, Anna Ruth Meriweather; his siblings, Milton Jr., Ronald/Jason, Joyce, Alice, Melvin, Jerrel, and John; his nephew, David Heard, and his niece, Katrice Johnson; and

WHEREAS, Jerome Johnson is survived by his wife, Laura; his sons, Joel (Karla), Justin, and Joshua; his grandsons, Khalil and Hasan; his siblings, Marla Jean, Marvin, Perry, Karen, Janice Webb, and Jeffery; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, friends, and colleagues; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Jerome Samuel Johnson, 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 Jerome Johnson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.