SR1022 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1022 LRB101 20464 ECR 70029 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of George Duane Tomlinson of West Frankfort, who passed away on January 23, 2020; and

WHEREAS, George Tomlinson was born to George and Bernice Tomlinson in Benton on January 6, 1931; during his high school years he worked with his uncle on the Tomlinson Windy Hills Farms; he graduated from Frankfort Community High School in 1948 and then attended Iowa State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in animal husbandry in 1952; he then served two years in the U.S. Army; and

WHEREAS, George Tomlinson developed a deep experience, expertise, and reputation as a cattleman; for more than 70 years, he spent almost every day of his life on the land; he remained actively involved in the management of Tomlinson Windy Hill Farms until his death and was highly regarded regionally, statewide, and nationally as a leader in the purebred Black Angus cattle industry; and

WHEREAS, For a brief period, George Tomlinson was senior vice president and director at the First Community Bank of West Frankfort; always with a heart for farmers, he spent much of his time there assisting farmers with financing and restructuring; and

WHEREAS, George Tomlinson was a proud member of the West Frankfort Lions Club and the West Frankfort Moose Club and served on the Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation Board and the Greater Egypt Regional Planning and Development Commission; he served for many years on the West Frankfort Community Council, of which his uncle "Tommy" Tomlinson was a founding member; and

WHEREAS, George Tomlinson had an enduring sense of curiosity and was well versed on any subject; he was an avid reader and enjoyed watching documentaries, sports and the news; he loved tending to his fruit trees and flowers; he was a lifelong learner with a clear and active mind until the end; and

WHEREAS, George Tomlinson was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Deanna (Sukoski); his parents, George and Bernice Tomlinson; and his younger siblings, John "David" Tomlinson and Jean Ann Patterson; and

WHEREAS, George Tomlinson is survived by his children, Martha (Bob) Tomlinson Gusentine, George Prentiss Tomlinson, and Thomas "Tommy" Edward Tomlinson; his sister, Mary Ellen Tatter; his six grandchildren, Mary, Jacob, Annemarie, Elizabeth, Cate, and George; his sisters-in-law, Mary Beth (Richard) Breeden and Carol Grace; his many nephews and nieces, and his beloved and faithful dog, Tank; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of George Duane Tomlinson 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 George Tomlinson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.