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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 Clinton
4Craig Atkins of Naples, Florida, formerly of Champaign, who
5passed away on April 24, 2011; and
 
6    WHEREAS, He was born on June 12, 1945, in Sewickley,
7Pennsylvania, the son of Clinton Paul and Maxine Long Atkins;
8he received his high school diploma from Champaign Central in
9Champaign in 1963 and attended the University of Illinois; and
 
10    WHEREAS, He married Susan A. Stitt on November 2, 1963; he
11began working at The News-Gazette in Champaign in 1964 in the
12circulation department; he enjoyed working with the youth of
13the community and the departments to get the paper out on time;
14after retiring at the age of 30, he had acquired several
15properties in Champaign and the surrounding communities; and
 
16    WHEREAS, He returned to work in 1981, when he acquired
17Westgate Apartments, a chain of liquor stores in the twin
18cities, Tower Hobbies, Herr's, Great Plains, warehouses, other
19real estate, and became a co-founder of Plastic Container
20Corporation; in the 1990s, he and his partner, Bruce Holecek,
21built Hobbico into the world's largest distributor of
22radio-controlled model planes, cars, and boats; he developed

 

 

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1North Prospect Avenue, including Baytowne Apartments, Square
2and Shoppes; ten years later, he developed Stone Creek Golf
3Course, Subdivision, Commons, and Shoppes in southeast Urbana;
4and
 
5    WHEREAS, In 2010, the Parkland College Foundation awarded
6him the V. Dale Cozad Entrepreneur of the Year award; and
 
7    WHEREAS, He always looked for the "deal" in which both
8parties won; he was involved in many partnerships; his desire
9was to make Champaign-Urbana the best it could be, through
10creating jobs, providing housing, philanthropy through various
11charities, and promoting the arts, education, and athletics at
12the University of Illinois; "Being the Best You Can Be" has
13always been his motto, and promoting others has always been his
14desire; and
 
15    WHEREAS, He enjoyed sharing his experiences with his
16family, friends, and employees; it could be a sporting event,
17travel, seminars, or anytime to gather and enjoy the event; his
18love of family, friends, and community was always his first
19priority; and
 
20    WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents, Clinton
21Paul and Maxine L. Atkins; his grandson, Zane; and his nephew,
22Clinton Paul; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Clinton Craig Atkins is survived by his loving
2wife, Susie; his children, Suzette (Michael) Hogan, C. Todd
3(Julia) Atkins, and Spencer (Tracy) Atkins; his grandchildren,
4Amber (Travis) Geralds, Kathryne, Emily, Nolan, Alexis,
5Spencer Von, Olivia, Victoria, Isabella, and George; his
6brother, Vincent (Inge) Atkins; his sister, Mary (Ivan)
7Hassinger; his sister-in-law, Donna Harris; and several loving
8nieces and nephews and their families; therefore, be it
 
9    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
10NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
11we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of
12Clinton Atkins; and be it further
 
13    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
14presented to the family of Clinton Atkins as a symbol of our
15sincere sympathy.