HR0977 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0977 LRB094 19675 HSS 56140 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois learned with sadness of the death of Darrell Dean Tucker of Charleston on Saturday, February 11, 2006; and

WHEREAS, He was born July 29, 1945, in Paris, Illinois, the son of Betty Jo Ludington and the stepson of Roy Stanford Tucker; he was united in marriage to Sherry Stoltz on March 25, 1978, at the First Christian Church in Charleston; and

WHEREAS, He proudly served his country from 1963 to 1966 in the United States Army; he received his B.S. in history education from Eastern Illinois University in 1969, an M.S. in educational administration from Illinois State University in 1973, and an Ed.S. in educational administration from Eastern Illinois University in 1978; in addition, he also received a Masters in Theology; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Tucker served as a teacher and coach for Tri-Valley High School and Heyworth High School, as Principal of Windsor High School, and for 20 years in the Charleston School District, first as Assistant Principal and later as Principal of Charleston High School; and

WHEREAS, After his formal retirement in 2001, he was a Physical Education Instructor and Student Teacher Coordinator at Eastern Illinois University, a counselor at Lincoln Christian College, and volunteered at Carl Sandburg Elementary School with their Reading Program; he deeply cared for all of his students and encouraged them to achieve more academically and athletically than they thought possible, and he had a knack for making others people smile through his mischievous sense of humor; and

WHEREAS, After coming to know Jesus, it was on January 5, 1992, that he was baptized and committed his life to a ministry addressing family relationships; this led to the establishment of his business recognized as A.I.M. (Attitude Improvement Management) HIGH Seminars; through these seminars he was able to develop a ministry in family relations that would impact the lives of many in a positive way; and

WHEREAS, He was a faithful member of the First Christian Church, where he served as a Deacon and was involved in various aspects of church service; he also held membership in the National Principals Association, Pointman Leadership Institute, and for many years served as President of the Apollo Conference; and

WHEREAS, He loved to run and lift weights, was an avid reader, and enjoyed working in the yard; he was interested in and a fan of all sports, but cheering for his beloved Chicago Cubs was a priority; he never knew a stranger and truly had a sincere love and compassion for others; he was described by a close friend as having a "wise way" about him which made him a deep friend to many and a mentor; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Tucker was a tremendous husband, father, and grandfather, and his love and devotion for his family could not have been greater; his passing has been deeply felt by those left behind, especially his loving wife, Sherry; his children, Brian Tucker and his wife Renee, Chad Tucker-Brachbill and his wife Angie, Shannon Smith and her husband Michael, and Heather Uppencamp and her husband Heath; his grandchildren, Cassidy, Marley, and Sadie Tucker, Taylor and Joel Tucker-Brachbill, Alexis Flore, and Ashton Smith; and his brother, David Tucker; he was preceded by his mother and stepfather and one brother, Larry Joe Tucker; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Darrell Dean Tucker, and we extend our deepest sympathy 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 his family as an expression of our sincerest condolences.