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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
IN LOVING MEMORY OF DONNIE WILLIS STAPLES
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
WHEREAS, we gather to honor the life and memory of Donnie Willis Staples, a cherished son, brother, sailor, engineer, and family man, who passed away peacefully on November 8, 2024, at the age of 80; and
WHEREAS, Donnie was born on April 3, 1944, in Tampa, Florida, to the union of Leonard and Marguerite Staples, and his early years were shaped by the love and care of his grandmother, Inez Forbes, in Kingston, Jamaica; and
WHEREAS, Donnie returned to the United States at the age of 14, where he attended Dunbar High School in Chicago, Illinois, and, guided by his deep sense of patriotism, he enlisted in the United States Navy, proudly serving his country from 1962 to 1968 during the Vietnam War; and
WHEREAS, during his military service, Donnie served as a Navy courier, taking on the courageous and vital role of delivering secret messages and funds to various bases, often in dangerous conditions. His bravery and dedication earned him several honors, including the Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal; and
WHEREAS, despite the physical challenges posed by his exposure to Agent Orange during his service, which led to a battle with stage 4 metastatic kidney cancer, Donnie remained a resilient and determined individual, devoted to his family and his passions, including his love for history, current events, and the sharing of his knowledge with those around him; and
WHEREAS, after his military service, Donnie pursued a career in electronics, earning a degree from the DeVry Institute of Technology and establishing a successful business in the fields of electrical engineering, carpentry, and plumbing. His expertise and willingness to help others made him a beloved figure to all who knew him; and
WHEREAS, Donnie's legacy lives on through his loving wife, Virginia; his sisters, Roberta Staples and Denise Hope; his children, Erica, Michael, and Ivan; his eight grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews, as well as countless friends and colleagues who were blessed to have known him.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, on behalf of the residents of Cook County, do hereby recognize Donnie Willis Staples, for his service to our country, and the indelible mark he left on the hearts of all who knew him ; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of the same be tendered to the family of Donnie Willis Staples.
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