SR0546 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Charles Roger Ezard of Jacksonville, who passed away on April 30, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Roger Ezard was born in Mattoon on June 22, 1936 to Harry and Esther Cunningham Ezard; he graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1954, where he was on 2 basketball teams that made appearances in the State tournament; he received a scholarship to play basketball at Vanderbuilt University in Nashville, Tennessee; he then attended Western Illinois University and Illinois College, where he earned his bachelor's degree and played football, basketball, and baseball; he later earned his master's degree in education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; he married Sally Brown on July 5, 1963 at the Franklin United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS, Roger Ezard taught and coached basketball on the varsity level at Ottawa-Marquette, Wynona, Franklin, and North Greene high schools before coming to Turner Junior High School in 1965 to serve as a teacher and coach; he went on to coach boys' basketball at Turner for 30 years, establishing an 83% winning percentage and making several appearances at the State tournament; he also coached track and field and football and was later inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame and the Jacksonville High School Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Roger Ezard was a longtime member of Central Christian Church and served as deacon for several years; he was a past-President and a member of the Illinois Retired Teachers Association and enjoyed meeting with his former colleagues, coaches, and friends; he ran the Jacksonville Pony-Colt League and coached there for several years; as a young man, he played with the Jacksonville Redlegs and Merchants and was a member of his church softball team; he was a devoted fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, the Jacksonville High School Crimsons, the University of Illinois Fighting Illini, and Illinois College Athletics; he had recently become a fixture in the stands cheering on the Lenz Field Warriors; and

WHEREAS, Roger Ezard loved line dancing and attending bluegrass and country-western music events with his wife, following his children's and grandchildren's events, and golfing with his friends; he enjoyed creating gifts for his grandson's teammates and spending time with his companion "grand-dog" Sage; and

WHEREAS, Roger Ezard is survived by his wife, Sally; his 2 sons, Tony Ezard and H. Andrew (Jenissa) Ezard; his 4 grandchildren, Haley Ezard, Abby Ezard, Kaylee Ezard, and Andrew Charles "Drew" Ezard; and his cousin, Carol (Jim) Knapp; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Charles Roger Ezard, 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 Roger Ezard as an expression of our deepest sympathy.