WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that the members of this Chamber learned of the peaceful departure of Mr. James Robert Lilly, affectionately known as "Smokey", "Coach Lilly", "David", "Pierre" and "JR"; and
WHEREAS, This august body has been informed of his passing by the Honorable Derrick Curtis, Alderman ofthel8,h Ward; and
WHEREAS, James was born on February 17,1953 in Chicago, Illinois to proud parents James Olivers Lilly and Evelyn C. McGrew; and
WHEREAS, James graduated from Lindbloom High School in 1980 where he was a founding member of the Lindbloom High School "Crunch Brunch", and went on to complete his Master's Degree at Loyola University Chicago; and
WHEREAS, James later married the love his life, Wilma Alexander, on September 3,1977; together the couple had one beautiful child, AuDrina Lilly; and
WHEREAS, James served the Chicago Police Department for thirty-five years as an Officer, Field Trainer, and Detective until his retirement on April 15, 2013. While working at the Police Department, he received many commendations, including the Blue Star for Bravery; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his service to the City, James loved sports. He began coaching football at Simeon High School in 1978 and continued to coach basketball and track until his passing at high schools throughout the Chicago area including Perspectives, Morgan Park, Seton Academy and Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences; and
WHEREAS, James accepted Christ at an early age and was an active member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church and Olivet Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, James leaves to cherish his memory a devoted wife, Wilma Lilly, daughters, AuDrina (Tim) and Angela, two grandchildren, William and Keyuana, and great-grandson, Brandon; and
WHEREAS, James touched the lives of all who knew him through dedication to others. He will be deeply missed, but the memory of his character will live on in those who knew and loved him; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this twentieth day of July, 2016, do hereby extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. James Robert Lilly; and
DERRICK CURTIS Alderman, 18th Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution are presented to the family of Mr. James Robert Lilly as a sign of our honor, gratitude, and respect.