HR0213 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0213 LRB096 11815 GRL 23972 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Thomas L. Reedy of Lovington, who passed away on February 19, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Reedy was born on July 2, 1925 in rural Lovington; he was the son of Daniel L. and Ilene Smith Reedy; he graduated from Lovington High School in 1943; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Reedy was drafted into the United States Army during World War II, serving as an MP and bodyguard to General Mark Clark; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Reedy earned his bachelor's degree in agriculture from the University of Illinois in 1949; while in college, he married Wilma Newsham on October 18, 1947; and

WHEREAS, After college, Thomas Reedy farmed in rural Lovington with his father, Dan, and his brother, Bill; he also started judging 4-H, FFA, and open livestock shows throughout Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Reedy served on numerous boards, including the Illinois Shorthorn Association, Moultrie County Farm Bureau, and FS boards; he was a 4-H leader and served on the Moultrie-Sullivan Fair board as president for nearly 20 years; he also served on the Regional School Board of Trustees as well as the Mental Health Board; he was elected to the Moultrie County Board and served from 1976 to 1980; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Reedy began teaching at Lake Land Junior College in the fall of 1969; while at Lake Land College, he established the award-winning judging team and the Junior College judging contest at the Chicago International, serving on the International board until its demise in 1975; he served as an agriculture instructor until he was named head of the Agriculture and Life Science Department at Lake Land College, serving in that position until 1990; he then served as an assistant to Lake Land College's president, serving there until his retirement in 1992; and

WHEREAS, After his retirement, Thomas Reedy became a Soy Coordinator for the Land of Lincoln Soybean Association; he was also appointed by the Governor to serve on the Illinois Committee for Ag Education, serving for three years until his retirement in 2002; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Reedy was a life-long member of St. Isadore Catholic Church, where he served as a church trustee; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Reedy was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, and four sisters; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Reedy and his wife of 61 years, Wilma, had three children, Linda (David) McCabe, Dan (Adele) Reedy, and Donna (Barry) Johnson; they have eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; Mr. Reedy is survived by his brother, William Reedy; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Reedy will be remembered by all who knew and loved him as a man whose love of people and optimistic outlook endeared him to everyone he met; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Thomas L. Reedy; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Thomas Reedy as an expression of our sympathy.