SR0248 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0248 LRB102 17929 ECR 24584 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Buff Carmichael II of Springfield, who passed away on March 21, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Buff Carmichael was born to Buff and Leona Beatrice (Falkner) Carmichael in Waco, Texas on July 2, 1947; he graduated from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service; he married Jerry Dean Bowman in Clinton on September 20, 2014; and

WHEREAS, Buff Carmichael first worked as a funeral director and embalmer in Texas; after moving to Springfield, he worked for the State of Illinois with the EMS and the Department of Nuclear Safety; and

WHEREAS, Buff Carmichael was the founder and a member of the Coalition of Rainbow Alliances (CORAL) and was instrumental in creating the AIDS Memorial at Lincoln Park; he was a board member and volunteer at the Fifth Street Renaissance SARA Center, a volunteer for Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), and a huge supporter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG); he was also a local chapter board member of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a volunteer and youth mentor at the Phoenix Center, a volunteer at the Abraham Lincoln Museum, and a member of the Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation; he and his husband created the Prairie Frame newspaper, which they coordinated for 12 years; and

WHEREAS, Buff Carmichael loved camping and sharing stories with anyone who would listen; and

WHEREAS, Buff Carmichael was preceded in death by his parents; his husband; and his sisters, Carol Carlsen and Nada Bell; and

WHEREAS, Buff Carmichael is survived by his children, Trey Carmichael, Janna Doyle, Erin Agee, and James Hunter Carmichael; his numerous grandchildren; his sister, Judy Lohmann; and his many nieces, nephews, and cousins; 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 Buff Carmichael II 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 Buff Carmichael as an expression of our deepest sympathy.