SR0632 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0632 LRB104 20966 LAW 34803 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Kelly Albert Grant Jr. of Springfield, who passed away on February 5, 2026; and

WHEREAS, Kelly Grant, the son of Kelly A. Grant Sr. and Gracie (Clark) Grant, was born in Springfield on May 29, 1929; he graduated from Springfield High School as valedictorian, and he later earned his bachelor's degree in business from Northwestern University in 1953 while serving in the United States Marine Corps; he married Karen McQuinn; and

WHEREAS, Kelly Grant owned and operated Mel-O-Cream Donuts for more than six and a half decades; he became president of the Springfield-based business in 1953, taking it over from his father, who established the company in 1932; during his tenure, he oversaw wholesale outreach, which included donuts being supplied to supermarket chains and convenience stores, the expansion of product offerings, such as frozen dough, prefried, and thaw-and-sell, and the opening of a new 27-acre facility in Springfield in 1997; he and co-owner, David Waltrip, retired after Mel-O-Cream Donuts International, Inc. was sold in 2019; and

WHEREAS, Kelly Grant routinely gave back to others, and he was honored by the Vietnam Veterans of America National Convention in 2015 for Mel-O-Cream's part in shipping between 4,000 and 5,000 dozen doughnuts to servicemen overseas, mostly in Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, Kelly Grant was a longtime member of the Rotary Club of Springfield South; in his spare time, he enjoyed partaking in woodworking projects, traveling with Karen, reading a good book, and cooking and baking; and

WHEREAS, Kelly Grant was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Kelly W. Grant; his brothers, Gerald "Pete", Franklin, and Norman Grant; and his sister, Glenda Warren; and

WHEREAS, Kelly Grant is survived by his wife, Karen; his daughters, Kemalie (Gerald) Winter, Kristine Grant, and Lisa Rinnus; seven grandchildren; his sister, Dorlis Pearce; his daughter-in-law, Mary Grant; 18 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews; 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 Kelly Albert Grant Jr. 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 Kelly Grant as an expression of our deepest sympathy.