SR1106 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1106 LRB102 28246 LAW 40116 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of John F. Trees of Springfield, who passed away on July 6, 2022; and

WHEREAS, John Trees was born to Arthur C. and Frances M. Madigan Trees in Urbana on June 5, 1947; he graduated from Feisthans High School in 1965; he attended Lincoln Land Community College; he served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War, where he developed lifelong friendships and received an honorable discharge; he married Candice D. Senor in Springfield on September 28, 1974; and

WHEREAS, John Trees worked as a skilled laborer and an accomplished carpenter, and he had several trade certifications; he retired from the Illinois Department of Transportation, after an illustrious career with the State of Illinois; his career included a stint at the Illinois State Fair, where he worked as a carpenter; he additionally served as a journeyman for the Carpenter Apprenticeship School and worked at the Clinton Nuclear Power Plant for a short time; and

WHEREAS, John Trees was a member of American Legion Post 809, Carpenter's Local 16, and Stationary Engineers Local 399; and

WHEREAS, John Trees was a voracious reader and a student of history; he loved reading the Sunday New York Times, listening to good music, traveling, and eating delicious food; he also loved getting a good bargain, going to garage sales, and antiquing; in his younger years, he and his wife annually attended the New Orleans Jazz Fest; he was a devoted Cardinals fan and supported the local high school sports teams, especially the Southeast High School Spartans' girls basketball and track teams; he enjoyed taking hunting trips to Pike County and fishing at Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee with his daughters, brother, and nephews; he also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, John Trees was affectionately known as "Papa John"; he was also fondly known as "Tall Trees" by his friends at Spammy's; he was a master carpenter who could fix anything or knew someone who could if he could not; he was always willing to lend a hand to those in need and knew no strangers; he and his wife had a welcoming home, opening it to family and friends in their times of need and hosting many fun filled June birthday parties; and

WHEREAS, John Trees is survived by his wife of 47 years, Candice D. Trees; his daughters, Peggi (Marcus) Trees-Gant, Jessi Trees, and Johanna (Dr. Corbet Ellison) Trees, Esq.; his niece, Dr. Alexandra (Sherwin) Lockridge Jr.; his grandchildren, Makai, Marisa, Megan, Dariana, and Madigan; his brother, Tom (Norma) Trees; his in-laws, Deborah (David) Burns, Lester Kevin (Linda) Senor, Patricia (Donald) Carter, Herman (Valeria) Senor, and Mark Senor; his nephews, Josh (Yvan) Trees, Brook (Lynn) Trees, and Patrick Trees; his good friend, Jesse Bustamante; his friend, John B. Hudson; the sons to whom he was a father figure, Donald, Harrison, and Ho Chi; his beloved dog, Max; a host of nieces and nephews; and all his friends around the globe; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of John F. Trees 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 John Trees as an expression of our deepest sympathy.