MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR JAMES J. STEELE
WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that the members of this Chamber learned of the departure of Mr. James J. Steele on January 13, 2017; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed body has been informed of his passing by the Honorable Anthony A. Beale, Alderman of the 9th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Mr. James J. Steele was born to the union of the late Aaron James and Thelma Vann-Steele in Salem, North Carolina, on March 16, 1938; and
WHEREAS, James graduated from Hyde Park High School in 1957 where he played basketball and football and was a member of the boys chorus; and
WHEREAS, James was married to his loving wife, Shellie Petty-Steele, on December 24, 1992, to whom he was married at the time of his passing. He was previously married twice, first to Ozzie Scott, the couple was blessed with two children, Karen and Michel, and later to Linda Bryan, whose daughter Donna he considered his own; and
WHEREAS, James was a dedicated serviceman, serving in the U.S. Army until his honorable discharge. He gave many years of loyal service to the Chicago Police Department as a police officer until his retirement in 1997. He later went to work for the Chicago Park District until his retirement in 1999; and
WHEREAS, James was an active member of his community, participating in the 9th Ward Seniors Advisory Board as Sergeant at Arms and later joining the 107th & Rhodes Block Club where he was voted in charge of safety and security for the block; and
WHEREAS, James leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Shellie; children, Karen and Michael; son-in-law, Artie; cousin, William (Linda); grandchildren, Kimberly and Michael Jr.; great-grandchildren, Erik, Camryn, Kym'marri, and Mekelle; step-daughter, Donna; aunt, Frances; aunt-in-law, Arletha; brother-in-law, Andrew; sisters-in-law, Bessie, Rosie, Amy, Annie, Essie, Lou, Diane, and Sandra; adopted sister-in-law, Brenda, adopted daughters-in-law, Sophia and Ida; lifetime friends, Ray, Don, Ralph, Carl (Candy), Ea...
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