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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of James R. Bowers of Bloomington, who 
4passed away on December 5, 2017; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Jim Bowers was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to 
6James J. and Katherine Baker Bowers on November 29, 1928; he 
7graduated from Penn Hills High School in Pittsburgh and 
8attended Pennsylvania State University for one year before 
9serving in the United States Navy; he earned his bachelor of 
10science and master of science degrees from Illinois State 
11University; he married Jo Ann C. Ruffing on August 9, 1958; and
  
 
12    WHEREAS, Jim Bowers taught physical education at 
13Bloomington Junior High School and Bloomington High School for 
1437 years; during those years, he also coached golf, football, 
15and wrestling at the high-school level; he was dedicated to 
16instilling discipline, responsibility, and respect in his 
17students and student athletes; and
  
 
18    WHEREAS, Jim Bowers was inducted into several wrestling and 
19coaching halls of fame, including the Illinois State University 
20Athletics Hall of Fame, the Penn Hills High School Athletics 
21Hall of Fame, and the District 87 Hall of Fame; he also 
22received several coaching and wrestling awards; and
  
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, In retirement, Jim Bowers enjoyed golfing and 
2traveling in the United States and abroad with his wife; he 
3especially enjoyed his vacations spent in Perdido Key, Florida 
4with family and friends; he also continued to take pleasure in 
5attending local sporting events, especially those in which his 
6grandchildren were participants; and
  
 
7    WHEREAS, Jim Bowers was preceded in death by his son, Paul 
8Bowers; and his brother, Robert J. Bowers; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, Jim Bowers is survived by his wife, Jo Ann; his 
10sons, Jim Bowers Jr., Jeff (Stephanie) Bowers, and Kurt 
11(Stephanie) Bowers; his grandchildren, Jessica, Justin, 
12Cheyenne, Cameron, Eli, Caleb, Chloe, Kallan, Brynn, Kyleigh, 
13Ava, and Isabel Bowers; his sister, Joan F. Bowers Baacke; and 
14his daughter-in-law, Tamara Shupp; therefore, be it
  
 
15    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL 
16ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
17James R. Bowers and extend our sincere condolences to his 
18family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it 
19further
  
 
20    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
21presented to the family of Jim Bowers as an expression of our 
 
 
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1deepest sympathy.