SR0391 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0391 LRB104 14785 LAW 27927 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Antoine Lamar Merrick of Chicago Heights, who passed away on July 31, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Antoine Merrick was born in Mobile, Alabama on October 25, 1982; he was raised in Tampa, Florida; he graduated from Bloomingdale High School in Valrico, Florida, where he played football; he attended Florida A&M University; he married his wife, Kelli, in 2005; together, they built a life grounded in laughter, family, and love; and

WHEREAS, Antoine Merrick began working with PepsiCo, becoming affectionately known as "the Pepsi man" in the community over the course of his eight-year career; after earning his Commercial Driver's License (CDL), he transitioned into a career in trucking, during which he loved taking his girls on the road with him; and

WHEREAS, Antoine Merrick discovered coaching to be his life's work, first coaching at St. Agnes Catholic School in 2014; he coached girls and boys basketball and girls volleyball; he eventually took his passion to the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) circuit, through which he coached the Lady MeanStreets and the Midwest Elite; he ultimately created a basketball program of his own, the Power Moves Elite (PME), home of the PME Pumas; and

WHEREAS, Antoine Merrick's coaching career led him to Marian Catholic High School, where he helped guide the Lady Spartans for years, and finally to Rich Township High School, where he served as head assistant coach of the girls varsity basketball team and head coach of the girls flag football team; over the course of his career, he became known for believing in his players as well as protecting them, pushing them, and celebrating their achievements; and

WHEREAS, Antoine Merrick, who leaves behind a legacy spanning thousands of lives, courts, classrooms, and hearts, will be remembered as a husband, a father, a brother, a son, a friend, and a coach to many; and

WHEREAS, Antoine Merrick is survived by his wife, Kelli Michel'e Merrick; his children, Aaliyah Lachel'e Merrick, Kaili Michel'e Merrick, A'Joine Jacquay Jones, and Taquan Jamiroquai Jones; his parents, Anthony Coleman and Christine Merrick; his siblings, Ciara Merrick, D'Andre Merrick, Ashley Coleman, Meghan Donald, and DaQualon Coleman; his siblings-in-love, Michael and Mikal Muhammad, Michael June, Demetrius Sewell, Trent Ware, and Kiel Redding; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, Paddyfote Soldiers, athletes, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Antoine Lamar Merrick 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 Antoine Merrick as an expression of our deepest sympathy.