SR1631 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1631 LRB100 21672 MST 38998 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Harry George Meadows, who passed away on April 7, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Harry Meadows was born in Chicago to W. R. "Bob" and Edna (Gahagan) Meadows on April 25, 1921; he attended St. Laurence Grade School, Abbott Junior High School, Elgin High School, and graduated from the Elgin Academy in 1939; he graduated from Lake Forest College in 1944 and married Ruth Anderson; and

WHEREAS, Harry Meadows joined the U.S. Navy at the beginning of World War II and received midshipman officer's training at Tower Hall in Chicago, Wabash College, and Columbia University; he honorably served as the executive officer, Lieutenant Jr. Grade, aboard the Mobile Explosives Investigation Unit ship, YP 421, in the Pacific Theater from 1944 to 1946; he was awarded the American Theater Ribbon, the WWII Victory Ribbon, a Philippine Liberation Star, and 3 Stars for Service in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; his ship received a Presidential Unit Citation while he was the executive officer; and

WHEREAS, Upon returning home from the war, Harry Meadows continued a 76-year association with W. R. Meadows, Inc., a family business started by his father in 1926 in Elgin; he served as Chairman of the Board and the company is now in its 93rd year with its third and fourth generation of family at the helm; and

WHEREAS, During the 1950s, Harry Meadows was a member of the Elgin Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Directors of the Elgin National Bank; he served as President of the Elgin Exchange Club and twice served as President of the Concrete Joint Institute; and

WHEREAS, In 1984, Harry Meadows received the Alumni Distinguished Service Citation from Lake Forest College; in 1993, he received an honorary Doctor of Business Management from Judson College, and in 1999, he was recognized by his church by being named a Knight in the Order of St. Gregory the Great by Pope John Paul II for his service in the Diocese of Rockford; numerous students over the years have benefited from the scholarships that he initiated; and

WHEREAS, Harry Meadows enjoyed spending time in northern Wisconsin and in Naples, Florida; he was a fan of any mode of transportation, including automobiles, airplanes, motorboats, and horses; and

WHEREAS, Harry Meadows was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Dr. W. R. Meadows Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Harry Meadows is survived by his wife of 71 years, Ruth; his daughters, Merrie Derderian, Ann (Jim) Dwyer, and Martha Connell; his grandchildren, Matthew (Dana) Price, Timothy (Rebecca) Price, Catherine Connell (Tim) Kocher, Dr. Jennifer Dwyer, George Connell III, Elizabeth Connell, and William Connell; and his great-grandchildren, Kaylyn Price, Dylan Price, Hunter Price, John Kocher, and Mary Margaret Kocher; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Harry George Meadows, 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 Harry Meadows as an expression of our deepest sympathy.