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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
REMEMBERING AND HONORING THE LIFE OF GORMAN BROWN JR.
WHEREAS, Almighty God in His infinite wisdom called from our midst Gorman Brown Jr. on Monday, July 13, 2020 at the age of 79; and
WHEREAS, Gorman was born on July 11th, 1941 in rural Bovina, Mississippi to Gorman Brown Sr. and Mary L. Brown; and
WHEREAS, Gorman always had a destiny that would take him beyond the constraints of his circumstances becoming the first in his family to go to college, attending Alcorn State University, and when funds became limited, he left school coming to Chicago in 1962 where he resided until his death; and
WHEREAS, in Chicago, one of the first activities in which he engaged was to seek out a church home, and found one at Hope Presbyterian on 61st and Loomis on Chicago’s South Side and was also introduced to the love of his life Martha Jean Williams and were married on June 28th, 1964; and
WHEREAS, throughout this period he steadfastly continued to pursue the bachelor’s degree that eluded him at Alcorn, with dreams of becoming a teacher, attending Northeastern Illinois University while working full-time at the Post Office; and
WHEREAS, during a family emergency, the young couple stepped up to the plate and adopted three young cousins Doris, Linda and Henrietta in 1965. They never shirked this obligation and raised the three into adulthood; and
WHEREAS, in 1967, the family celebrated as Gorman realized one of his life’s dreams by attaining a bachelor’s degree in Education and the birth of the couple’s first child Gorman Edward in 1968; A second blessing was added in 1970 with the birth of Kimberly Jean; and
WHEREAS, being a committed member of the community, Gorman realized that his desire to affect change would need to occur with the younger generation, and became a teacher assigned to the Hess Upper Grade Center on Chicago’s West Side in 1967, joining his wife in the profession who began teaching in 1963; and
WHEREAS, Gorman’s dreams did not stop there, and after meeting a colleague, Andrew Lucas, the two would leave the schoolhouse daily and began the process of preparing themselves to become real estate owners and managers; and
WHEREAS, pouring their efforts into this new dream the two purchased several multi-unit buildings and created Brown and Lucas Management Company, which focused on developments on Chicago’s South and West Sides. This business would grow to manage eight facilities from the 1970’s through 2019; and
WHEREAS, the American Dream for Gorman Brown Jr. also meant that he could provide for opportunities for his family; his son Gorman Edward eventually became a Doctor and an Educational Leader and his daughter Kimberly Jean became a Lawyer and Business Owner, and Gorman became a prominent member of the Illinois Satsang Society and continued in these endeavors until he was no longer able to do so; and
WHEREAS, most importantly, Gorman remained married and celebrated love daily with his bride Martha Jean Brown for fifty-six years; She stood by his side along with his children and grandchildren Kai, Kimani, Azana, KaMAr, Len III, Imani and Gorman IV when he transitioned on July 13th, 2020. He lived his life upright and circumspect, embodying the tenets of manhood in all of his endeavors. He exemplified the American Dream and is truly to be celebrated;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and Members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby offer its deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the family and loved ones of Gorman Brown Jr.; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and a suitable copy be presented to the family of Gorman Brown Jr. so that his memory may be so honored and ever cherished.
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