SR0525 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0525 LRB097 17200 KXB 62400 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Gary Wayne Rich of West Frankfort, who passed away on January 4, 2012; and

WHEREAS, He was born on November 6, 1954, in Herrin, the son of Obie Gene and Hazel June (Hawkins) Rich; he grew up in West Frankfort and graduated from Frankfort Community High School; he married Lisa Jean Bowyer in 1974; he later married Lora Marie Willmore; and

WHEREAS, His interests included Tae Kwon Do, and his passion for the martial arts and his desire to teach others led him to open The American Tae Kwon Do Academy in West Frankfort; he achieved the ranking of 5th degree black belt; he also obtained training in massage therapy at Rend Lake College; his desire for learning and helping others led him to Healing Touch and Reiki; he was a certified Healing Touch instructor and a Reiki Master; and

WHEREAS, He first explored coal mining before deciding on the Department of Corrections as his lifelong employer; in his 27 years working for the Department of Corrections, the first 9 were at the Shawnee Correctional Facility with the remainder as a shift commander at the Du Quoin Impact Incarceration Program; he put together a tutoring program that helped inmates with substandard reading skills effectively raise their reading abilities; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by both parents; and

WHEREAS, Gary Rich is survived by his wife; his sons, Gabe and Kyle Rich; his grandchildren, Lillie and Bella; his large extended family, including Dennis and Donna Sminchak, David and Linda Rich, Betty Caraway, and Jim and Monica Rich; he is also survived by 5 nephews and 6 nieces; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Gary Rich; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Gary Rich as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.