SR1066 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1066 LRB103 41131 LAW 74348 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Martin Luther Bray III of Canton, who passed away on June 8, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Martin Bray, the son of Martin L. Bray Jr. and Ethel Dixon Bray, was born in Washington, D.C. on February 3, 1938; he was raised in Vienna, Virginia; he graduated from Fairfax High School in Fairfax, Virginia in 1956; he served in the U.S. Army in Berlin, Germany during the Cold War for three years; he then moved to California, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering from Pacific States University in Los Angeles and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from West Coast University in Orange County; he married Janet D. Harris in Duarte, California on August 26, 1961; and

WHEREAS, Martin Bray worked as a design engineer in the aerospace industry; he moved with his family to Wataga, Illinois to start a business in 1974; he then worked as an electronic engineer for Caterpillar Inc. in East Peoria for eight years and at Sommer Products in Bartonville for 18 years; and

WHEREAS, Martin Bray pursued his dream of living and working on a farm when he purchased one in Missouri as a weekend hobby; he then purchased a farm closer to his day job in rural Smithfield in 1988, and he continued to farm until his passing; and

WHEREAS, Martin Bray served his community as a member of the Fulton County Farm Bureau, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, and the Wataga Village Board; he was also a member of the Shirt and Skirt Square Dance Club of Canton; he was a devoted member of Fiatt Independent Christian Church, where he served on the Finance Committee; and

WHEREAS, Martin Bray enjoyed working on the farm, riding his bicycle, reading, and spending time with his family; and

WHEREAS, Martin Bray was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, Martin Bray is survived by his wife, Janet Bray; his sisters, Jean (Guy) Southers, Helain (Kevin) Steele, Mildred (Andy) Blake, and Shirley Bray; his daughters, Karen (Trent) Tucker and Deanna (Brett) Chatterton; his grandchildren, Jason (Lauren) Chatterton, Joshua (Margaret) Chatterton, Brittany (Nathaniel) Roberts, Alexander Tucker, Josiah (Hannah) Chatterton, Bailey (Daniel) Taflinger, Brenna Chatterton, AnnaMary Chatterton, and Hadassah Chatterton; and eight great-grandchildren; 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 Martin Luther Bray III 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 Martin Bray as an expression of our deepest sympathy.