MEMORIAL-JOHN A. SMITH JR.

Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HR0729

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Full Text of HR0729

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HR0729 - 104th General Assembly

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HR0729
LRB104 21163 LAW 35545 r
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

2

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3
Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of John
4
Alden Smith Jr., who passed away on March 4, 2026; and

5

WHEREAS, John Smith was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on
6
January 3, 1944; he served in the United States Army from
7
September 27, 1963 to September 26, 1966, attaining the rank
8
of specialist four and serving as a field radio repairman; for
9
his honorable service, he received the Good Conduct Medal, the
10
National Defense Service Medal, the Marksman Marksmanship
11
Qualification Badge with Carbine Bar, and the Sharpshooter
12
Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar, reflecting
13
the discipline, skill, and sense of duty that remained evident
14
throughout his life; and

15

WHEREAS, After his military service, John Smith dedicated
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37 years to the telecommunications industry through Western
17
Electric, Illinois Bell, and Lucent Technologies, contributing
18
to the communications infrastructure that helped support the
19
growth of modern technology and keeping faith with the value
20
of hard work throughout his long career; and

21

WHEREAS, John Smith was a man of deep faith who lived a
22
life of service through his church and community, sharing

HR0729
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LRB104 21163 LAW 35545 r
1
fellowship through the Lillydale First Baptist Church Choir,
2
serving through New Progressive Missionary Baptist Church,
3
assisting others through the food pantry, volunteering with
4
the Village of Hazel Crest Veterans Commission, and remaining
5
active with VFW Post 311; and

6

WHEREAS, John Smith was fiercely loyal and unquestionably
7
reliable, a man whose word could be trusted, whose presence
8
could be counted on, and whose devotion to those he loved never
9
had to be questioned; he showed his family, his neighbors, and
10
all who knew him that character is built by steady action,
11
faithful service, and the daily discipline of doing the right
12
thing over and over again; and

13

WHEREAS, John Smith served as a father figure to many
14
throughout his neighborhood and community, taking people under
15
his wing, feeding them, advising them, correcting them, and
16
helping prepare them for the future because he cared deeply
17
about what they would become and possessed a sincere desire to
18
see them live better, stronger, more disciplined lives; and

19

WHEREAS, John Smith never met a stranger, and he spoke to
20
people others might ignore, welcomed those others might
21
overlook, and made room for people who needed family,
22
friendship, direction, or simply to be seen, reminding all who
23
encountered him that dignity belongs to everyone; and

HR0729
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LRB104 21163 LAW 35545 r
1

WHEREAS, John Smith was affectionately known as "Mr. Smith
2
John" to many, a title that reflected not only familiarity,
3
but deep respect, love, and gratitude for the role he played in
4
the lives of so many; he was a truly extraordinary man who
5
leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, service, and
6
steadfast devotion to his faith, family, and community; and

7

WHEREAS, John Smith was the devoted husband of Marva for
8
over 61 years; the proud father of Lorie Wilson, Carla
9
(William) Gamble, Matthew Smith, and the late Danita Smith;
10
the loving grandfather of Cameron Lee, Lauren Wilson, Peyton
11
Gamble, Quentin Gamble, Kellen Gamble, Alden Smith, and
12
Alexander Smith; the proud great-grandfather of Camoni Lee; an
13
honorable veteran; a devoted servant of his faith; and a
14
beloved patriarch whose life enriched and strengthened all who
15
knew him; therefore, be it

16

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
17
HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
18
we mourn the passing of John Alden Smith Jr. and extend our
19
sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew
20
and loved him; and be it further

21

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
22
presented to the family of John Smith as an expression of our

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deepest sympathy.

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