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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Pettus
4Thomas "Tom" Morris Jr. of Peoria, who passed away on June 30,
52024; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Tom Morris, the son of Susie Geoghegan Morris and
7Pettus Thomas Morris Sr., was born in Martinsville, Virginia
8on December 16, 1939; he graduated from the University of
9Richmond in 1962; after college, he enlisted in the U.S. Army,
10serving as an infantry unit commander and a member of a
11general's staff; upon moving from active duty to the U.S. Army
12Reserve, he achieved the rank of captain; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Tom Morris moved to Illinois in 1964, where he
14started working as a Midwest territory representative for his
15uncle's furniture business and settled in Peoria; he then
16began a lengthy career in pharmaceutical sales; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Tom Morris was passionate about his faith, and he
18was actively involved with First Presbyterian Church, now
19known as United Presbyterian, and served as a leader in his
20local chapters of the Christian Business Men's Connection; he
21was also a member of the Jaycees and served as president of his
22local Toastmasters chapter; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Tom Morris was an avid fan of the Bradley
2University basketball team, the Bradley Braves, and the
3University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign football team, the
4Fighting Illini; he took great pride in helping his sons in
5whatever ways he could; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Tom Morris, who was also known as "P.T.", will be
7remembered for his overt friendliness, his Virginia accent
8that never faded, and his quirky and impressive knowledge of
9geography, wildlife, and sports; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Tom Morris was preceded in death by his parents
11and his former wife and the mother of his sons, Helen Cox
12Ferguson; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Tom Morris is survived by his companion of 37
14years, Carol Burling; his sons, John D. (Cindy) Morris,
15Stephen M. (Joy) Morris, and Thomas Kenneth "T.K." (Natasha)
16Morris; his grandchildren, Jordan (Adria) Morris, Taylor
17Morris, Robert "Bobby" Morris, Cal Morris, Hannah Morris, and
18Isaiah Morris; his sisters, Susan Thompson and Libby (Mike)
19Wharton; his nephews, Jeff Thompson, Brian Thompson, and Ben
20Wharton; and many members of Carol's family; therefore, be it
 
21    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE

 

 

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1HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
2we mourn the passing of Pettus Thomas "Tom" Morris Jr. and
3extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all
4who knew and loved him; and be it further
 
5    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
6presented to the family of Tom Morris as an expression of our
7deepest sympathy.