SR0732 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0732 LRB103 39105 LAW 69245 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of W. Roscoe McCall, D.D.S. of Peoria, who passed away on December 15, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Dr. McCall was born to Rueben McCall Sr. and Mary McCall in Brewster, Florida on June 30, 1942; he graduated second in his class from Union Academy High School in Bartow, Florida in 1961, where he played fullback on the football team; he received his Associate of Arts in Biology from Gibbs Jr. College in St. Petersburg, Florida in 1963; he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1965; he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Florida A&M University in 1971; he graduated from the Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry in Nashville, Tennessee in 1976; and

WHEREAS, Dr. McCall returned to Peoria in 1976, becoming the fourth African-American dentist in Peoria's history while initially working at the Peoria County Health Department; he opened his own private practice in 1977, which he operated for 29 years; and

WHEREAS, Dr. McCall entered into semi-retirement in January 2007, which lasted for three weeks, before accepting employment as a dentist at Logan Correctional Institution in February 2007, where he worked until his retirement in 2021; and

WHEREAS, Dr. McCall actively served the Peoria community as a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; he also participated in events with the Tri-County Urban League and was a lifelong member of the NAACP; and

WHEREAS, Dr. McCall was inducted into the Union Academy High School Athletic Hall of Fame, and he was fond of telling football stories; and

WHEREAS, Dr. McCall was preceded in death by his parents; 11 siblings; and his daughter, Tonya J. McCall; and

WHEREAS, Dr. McCall is survived by his wife of 59 years, Geraldine "Geri" (Williams) McCall; his sons, Pastor Steven (Valerie) McCall and Christopher (Tiffany) McCall, J.D.; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; his brothers, Norman (Cheryl) McCall and Hyrom (Eloise) McCall; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of W. Roscoe McCall, D.D.S. 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 Dr. McCall as an expression of our deepest sympathy.