SR0340 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0340 LRB103 32602 MST 62219 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Jean L. "Tank" Corner, who passed away on April 30, 2023 at the age of 52; and

WHEREAS, Jean Corner was born in Columbia, South Carolina to Mary Corner and Leonard Davis on January 16, 1971; and

WHEREAS, Jean Corner began elementary school in North Carolina; during these early years, he developed a passion for football; when his family moved to Illinois, he continued to play at Garfield Elementary School and also joined the Bellwood Spartans extracurricular team; and

WHEREAS, Jean Corner attended Proviso East High School through his junior year; he ultimately graduated from Oak Park and River Forest High School (OPRFHS) in 1989, having become a local football star; he also shared a passion for television and film with his former classmates, which kept them connected well into adulthood; and

WHEREAS, Jean Corner subsequently enrolled at Northern Iowa Community College, where he earned an associate's degree in art; he completed an undergraduate program at the University of Northern Iowa in 1994 on a football scholarship; and

WHEREAS, Jean Corner found a special kinship in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, INC in 1996; he pledged and became a member of MuXi Chapter; he and his line brothers referred to themselves as the "Qrazy 8"; he also befriended members of multiple other "Divine Nine" fraternities; and

WHEREAS, Jean Corner took his sports skills overseas to Tokyo after his time pursuing a college education; he remained a loyal Dallas Cowboys fan no matter where he lived, either in the U.S. or abroad; and

WHEREAS, Jean Corner returned to his high school alma mater as a campus safety officer once his stint in professional sports ended; he trained and mentored generations of OPRFHS athletes as the six-year head coach of the Powder Puff Girls Football League and the inaugural girls' flag football team during the fall 2022 season; he shared his personal training services with community members as well; and

WHEREAS, Jean Corner brought his dream of owning and operating a fitness clothing line to fruition by launching Fitness II Perfection (FIIP), LLC; his garments bore affirming and positive statements, such as "Work Hard…No Excuses"; and

WHEREAS, Jean Corner relished time with his family, especially Christmas gatherings hosted across the United States; his nephews, Darrion and Josiah, became his sons and shared this title with his first-born, Zayden; and

WHEREAS, Jean Corner's appetite competed with his love of fitness and exercise; he loved his mother and grandmother's cooking the most, but he never turned down a meal; although his given name was Jean, he had long gone by the nickname "Tank", which fit him well as he was built like a tank, short but wide and powerful; and

WHEREAS, Jean Corner was preceded in death by his father, Leonard Davis, and his sister, Emma Raggs-Franklin; and

WHEREAS, Jean Corner is survived by his son, Zayden Corner; his mother, Mary Corner; his grandmother, Catherine Corner; his nephews, Josiah "JoJo" McKevin and Darrion Johnson; his sisters, Shereta Hunt and Anita Raggs; his brother, Cleveland Raggs; his fiancée, LaTonia Jackson; his FIIP family; his caretakers at LaGrange Hospital; and numerous other family members, friends, and fans; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Jean L. "Tank" Corner 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 Jean Corner as an expression of our deepest sympathy.