SR0324 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Duane Randall of Godfrey, who passed away on June 9, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Duane Randall was born on April 27, 1946 in Alton; his parents were Duane Sr. and Rosemary (Miller) Randall; and

WHEREAS, Duane Randall spent his childhood in various places, including Caracas, Venezuela and Moab, Utah; he moved back to Alton in 1960 and played varsity sports at Marquette Catholic High School; he graduated from Alton Senior High School in 1964; following in his father's footsteps, he graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1970 with a bachelor's degree in business administration; and

WHEREAS, Duane Randall married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Ann Cannedy, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alton on June 21, 1968; in the following years, Mr. Randall and his family lived in a number of cities in the Midwest and in Miami, Florida; during this time, he worked in several industries, including medical and office equipment sales; Mr. and Mrs. Randall returned to the Alton area with their three children in 1987; and

WHEREAS, Duane Randall worked for more than 20 years in the aviation industry, building a successful entrepreneurial career; he was often accompanied by his wife as he traveled and the two formed close friendships with his associates throughout Europe and Asia; he and his son Joseph founded an aircraft fabric company, AviorTex, in 2007; and

WHEREAS, Duane Randall's uncle, Louis Miller, helped Duane procure a job as a caddie at Lockhaven Country Club, which began his lifelong interest in golf; as a member of Lockhaven, Mr. Randall's contribution to and enthusiasm for the club were unparalleled; he and his wife built a home overlooking the golf course in 1992; he also served on the board of Lockhaven from 1998 to 2004, including a term as president from 2003 to 2004; following his term as president, he became a board member of the Lockhaven Country Club Development Corporation; and

WHEREAS, In 2001, Duane Randall aided his daughter Elisabeth in opening a coffee shop on Broadway in Alton, which initiated his involvement in realizing the great potential of the downtown Alton area; he first converted the Laura Building into river-view lofts and commercial spaces overlooking the Mississippi River, with him and his wife occupying the top floor; assisted by his daughter Jennifer and business partner Penelope Schmidt, he continued these efforts at the Mississippi Lime building, now known as the Mississippi Landing; and

WHEREAS, Duane Randall was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Ann Canaday; and

WHEREAS, Duane Randall is survived by his devoted wife, Nancy; his children, Jennifer and her husband, Steven Papin, Joseph and his wife, Rebecca, and Elisabeth; his grandchildren, Emily, Joseph, and Betsy Papin; his sisters, Louise Jehle and her husband, Jackson, and Martha Black and her husband, Robert; his brother-in-law, Jon Cannedy; a large extended family, including Pat Kane and his wife, Dottie; and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews; and

WHEREAS, Duane Randall will be remembered by all who knew and loved him as a business mentor, a wonderful conversationalist and storyteller, and a dedicated golfer; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Duane Randall; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Duane Randall as an expression of our sympathy.