Bill Text: IL HR0857 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Pettus Thomas "Tom" Morris Jr. of Peoria.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-11-12 - Resolution Adopted [HR0857 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-HR0857-Introduced.html

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HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Pettus
Thomas "Tom" Morris Jr. of Peoria, who passed away on June 30,
2024; and
WHEREAS, Tom Morris, the son of Susie Geoghegan Morris and
Pettus Thomas Morris Sr., was born in Martinsville, Virginia
on December 16, 1939; he graduated from the University of
Richmond in 1962; after college, he enlisted in the U.S. Army,
serving as an infantry unit commander and a member of a
general's staff; upon moving from active duty to the U.S. Army
Reserve, he achieved the rank of captain; and
WHEREAS, Tom Morris moved to Illinois in 1964, where he
started working as a Midwest territory representative for his
uncle's furniture business and settled in Peoria; he then
began a lengthy career in pharmaceutical sales; and
WHEREAS, Tom Morris was passionate about his faith, and he
was actively involved with First Presbyterian Church, now
known as United Presbyterian, and served as a leader in his
local chapters of the Christian Business Men's Connection; he
was also a member of the Jaycees and served as president of his
local Toastmasters chapter; and

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WHEREAS, Tom Morris was an avid fan of the Bradley
University basketball team, the Bradley Braves, and the
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign football team, the
Fighting Illini; he took great pride in helping his sons in
whatever ways he could; and
WHEREAS, Tom Morris, who was also known as "P.T.", will be
remembered for his overt friendliness, his Virginia accent
that never faded, and his quirky and impressive knowledge of
geography, wildlife, and sports; and
WHEREAS, Tom Morris was preceded in death by his parents
and his former wife and the mother of his sons, Helen Cox
Ferguson; and
WHEREAS, Tom Morris is survived by his companion of 37
years, Carol Burling; his sons, John D. (Cindy) Morris,
Stephen M. (Joy) Morris, and Thomas Kenneth "T.K." (Natasha)
Morris; his grandchildren, Jordan (Adria) Morris, Taylor
Morris, Robert "Bobby" Morris, Cal Morris, Hannah Morris, and
Isaiah Morris; his sisters, Susan Thompson and Libby (Mike)
Wharton; his nephews, Jeff Thompson, Brian Thompson, and Ben
Wharton; and many members of Carol's family; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE

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HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we mourn the passing of Pettus Thomas "Tom" Morris Jr. and
extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all
who knew and loved him; and be it further