SR0072 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0072 LRB103 30652 LAW 57110 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Theophilus Moore Jr., who passed away on January 29, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Theophilus Moore was born to Willie Bell Cole and Theophilus Moore Sr. in Mariana, Arkansas on October 15, 1924; he attended Robert R. Morton High School in Marianna and was drafted into the U.S. Army during his senior year in 1943, but his enlistment was delayed until graduation; once enlisted, he served in the all Black 577 Engineering Truck Company during World War II, and he was awarded two Bronze Stars in 1945 for meritorious service during the Northern France and Rhineland campaigns; after WWII, he was selected for entry into the Army's Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Fort Benning, Georgia under the 3d Battalion, 11th Infantry, where he participated in one of the first integrated training classes after the Army decided to diversify its officer ranks; he served in active duty until 1946 and then moved to Chicago; he served in the U.S. Army Reserves until 1953, retiring as an army major; he married Mildred Lee Gilmore in 1955; and

WHEREAS, Theophilus Moore began working for A&P Grocery in 1955, where he eventually rose to the title of store manager; after A&P, he worked for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), where he retired as a foreman after 31 years of service; and

WHEREAS, During his tenure at the USPS, Theophilus Moore was an active member of various unions, including the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) and the National Association of Postal Supervisors, where he served as branch president from 1972 to 1976; he also helped organize the Clerk Craft Union at North Suburban; and

WHEREAS, Theophilus Moore joined St. Mark United Methodist Church in 1946, where he was an active with the Usher Board, the United Methodist Men, Family Ministries, Veterans Affairs, and the Gospel Choir; he was also a member of the International Free and Accepted Modern Masons and the Order of the Eastern Star; he joined King Hiram Lodge No. 23, where he served as secretary, worshipful master, and grand master for the State of Illinois; for outstanding service, he was bestowed with the honorary Masonic 33rd degree in 1994; and

WHEREAS, Theophilus Moore was affectionately known as "Durock" by family and friends; he was a man of strength, character, integrity, and dignity; and

WHEREAS, Theophilus Moore had three loves of his life and 10 children; with Helen Williams, he had Diane and Maurice; with Mildred Lee Gilmore, he had Michael, Theophilus III, Milfred, and Marlene; with Dorothy Spann Grigsby, he had Torrence, Kawana, Luther, and Darnell; and

WHEREAS, Theophilus Moore was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Berniece Boyd, Myrtle Moore, John Moore, Luther Moore Sr., Lawrence Moore, and Joseph Moore; his son, Theophilus III; and his son-in-law, Loyal Gibson II; and

WHEREAS, Theophilus Moore is survived by his sister, Wilma Reynolds; his children, Mary Preacely (Maurice), Diane Gibson, Maurice (Angela), Michael (Dean), Milfred (Alicia), Marlene (Patricia), Torrence (Jamie), Kawana, Luther, and Darnell; his grandchildren, Brian Gibson (Melissa), Marc Gibson, Maurice, Jasper, Michelle Cucuzza (Kevin), Brittany, Michael Jr., DeShun, Darnesha, Jordan, and Cameron; his great-grandchildren; his great-great-grandchild; and a host of nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Theophilus Moore 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 Theophilus Moore as an expression of our deepest sympathy.