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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE COOK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF DOCTOR LARRY JAMES THOMAS
WHEREAS, God, in his infinite wisdom, saw fit to call Dr. Larry James Thomas from our midst on March 31, 2016, and into eternity; and,
WHEREAS, Dr. Larry James Thomas was born into life on June 20, 1946 to Edward and Mary Thomas in Chicago, Illinois; and,
WHEREAS, Dr. Thomas received his Bachelors of Arts degree in English at North Park University in 1972, a Master’s of Science degree in School Guidance and Counseling from Chicago State University in 1988 and a Masters of Arts in School Administration in 1990 from CSU. He was especially proud of receiving his Doctorate of Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University in 1998; and,
WHEREAS, Dr. Thomas held many teaching positions during his career from 1970 to 2007, but counted his position as an educator at Coles Language Academy among his most beloved professional experiences; and,
WHEREAS, Dr. Thomas received many awards within and outside of his profession, among which were the Blum Kolver Educator of the Year Award in 1985, the State of Illinois’ Distinguished Principal award in 2007, the LAUNCH Mentor of the Year Award in 2003, the CPS Outstanding Leadership Award in 1999, the Phi Delta Kappa Outstanding Educator Award, among many others; and,
WHEREAS, Dr. Thomas cofounded a group known as “Retirees in Motion.” The group met for lunch every second Tuesday of the month and Dr. Thomas was always a smiling and enthusiastic presence at these gatherings. Under Dr. Thomas’s stewardship, the group went from five to 80 members; and,
WHEREAS, Dr. Thomas was a valued and vibrant member of his community and his profession. His memberships and affiliations included the following groups: National and Chicago Associations for Black School Educators; Illinois Principals Association; Retired Teachers Association of Chicago; Board of Directors for the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association; Black United Fund; Glenwood Police Pension Board of Trustees; and the Educational Task Force for the Rich Township School District 227; and,
WHEREAS, Dr. Thomas leaves behind one son, one daughter, two grandsons, five brothers, five sisters, two cousins, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, fraternity brothers and special friends;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the President and Cook County Board of Commissioners that the life of Dr. Larry James Thomas is to be celebrated, and that the sincere gratitude of the President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners is to be extended to the family and friends of Dr. Larry Thomas for his service to his students and to his community.
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