MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF FEBRUARY 1, 2018
Title
MEMORIAL RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners honoring the memory of Pastor Ron Taylor
Body
WHEREAS, Ronnie Taylor (affectionately known as Pastor Ron) was born July 31, 1957 in Chicago to the union of Leroy and Ruth Taylor; and
WHEREAS, he dedicated his life to Christ at the age of 15, while attending Hope Deliverance Tabernacle under the direction of Pastor Jackie Jordan and it was there that he met the love of his life Johnnie Mae Jewett in 1974; and
WHEREAS, they married three years later in July of 1977, and later welcomed daughter Rebecca Ruth Taylor; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Ron graduated from Farragut High School 1976 and immediately entered the workforce, holding positions with the U.S. Postal Service, Wells Manufacturing Co. in Skokie, Sears Roebuck and Co., and finally RR Donnelley’s and Sons, where he remained for 25 years, retiring to dedicate his life to full time ministry in 2003; and
WHEREAS, in June of 1997, Pastor Ron met with seventeen men and women to discuss his plans to minister to those in need. Out of this group was formed the Disciples for Christ Outreach Ministries (DFC); and
WHEREAS, Pastor Ron knew that he was called to minister to those who were hurting and broken by unjust systems and structural racism who would probably never walk into a church building; and
WHEREAS, during his time working in the private sector and pastoring DFC, Pastor Ron served as the Vice Chairman on the Board of Directors for Target Area Development Corporation. An active board member, he served on various committees and campaigns to eliminate barriers to poverty in the African American community; and
WHEREAS, he later joined the staff of Target Area to provide direct leadership in his work as Director of Coalitions and Organizing for four years and Director of Reentry Programs for three years; and
WHEREAS, in 2005, Pastor Ron and close colleagues in the social justice field founded the United Congress of Community and Religious Organizations. He served as an Executive Council Board Member for the coalition for nine years and played a significant role as a member of the Advocacy Team before accepting the position of Executive Director in 2013; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Ron gained local and national recognition and honor for his work in the area of social justice. His hard work, commitment, thoughtfulness, and integrity were recognized by everyone who met him. His work building bridges across racial and religious communities will forever be his legacy; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Ron leaves to cherish his memory: his wife of 40 years, Johnnie Mae Taylor; daughter Rebecca Taylor; granddaughter Harmony Taylor-Warrensby; siblings Larry Taylor, Lois Taylor, Larryne, Sharon Butler, Rochelle Taylor, Letthe Taylor and Charlene Harris; mother-in-love Edith Richardson; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and colleagues. Both parents and his brother Charles Harris preceded him in death; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Ron’s lifetime of service and the many lives he touched will remain as his legacy; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and staff, do extend our deepest condolences to the family of Pastor Ron Taylor; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.
Dated: February 1, 2018
Approved: MARIYANA T. SPYROPOULOS, President; BARBARA J. MCGOWAN, Vice President; FRANK AVILA, Chairman, Committee on Finance; MARTIN J. DURKAN; JOSINA MORITA; DEBRA SHORE; KARI K. STEELE; DAVID J. WALSH; Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
Approved as to Form and Legality: Susan T. Morakalis, General Counsel, STM:aw