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SR 632

MEMORIAL-KELLY A. GRANT JR.

104th Regular Session Introduced by Steve McClure

Honors Kelly A. Grant Jr. for leading Mel-O-Cream Donuts for over 60 years, expanding the business, supporting troops overseas, and active community service while expressing Senate

Resolution Adopted
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Bill Summary · SR 632

Overview

  • Type: Senate Resolution (Memorial)
  • Jurisdiction: Illinois
  • Session: 104th General Assembly
  • Bill Number: SR0632
  • Title: MEMORIAL-KELLY A. GRANT JR.
  • Primary purpose: Mourn and honor the life of Kelly Albert Grant Jr. and express condolences on his death.

Purpose and Intent

  • A formal memorial resolution recognizing the life, contributions, and service of Kelly Albert Grant Jr. of Springfield, Illinois, who passed away on February 5, 2026.
  • Aims to commemorate Grant’s personal and professional achievements, his military service, community involvement, and philanthropic efforts through Mel-O-Cream Donuts.

Key Provisions and Content

  • Biographical tribute: Details Grant’s background, including birth on May 29, 1929, education (valedictorian at Springfield High School; business degree from Northwestern University, 1953; served in the U.S. Marine Corps), and family information.
  • Professional accomplishments:
    • Owned and operated Mel-O-Cream Donuts for more than 6.5 decades.
    • Served as president of the Springfield-based Mel-O-Cream Donuts, Inc. starting in 1953.
    • Oversaw wholesale expansion, product diversification (frozen dough, prefried, thaw-and-sell), and a major facility expansion (new 27-acre Springfield facility in 1997).
    • In 2019, retired after the company was sold to Mel-O-Cream Donuts International, Inc., with co-owner David Waltrip.
  • Community service and recognition:
    • Honored by the Vietnam Veterans of America National Convention in 2015 for Mel-O-Cream’s efforts in supplying doughnuts to U.S. servicemen overseas during Vietnam, estimated at 34,000 to 5,000 dozen doughnuts.
    • Longtime member of the Rotary Club of Springfield South.
  • Personal interests and family:
    • Enjoyed woodworking, traveling, reading, cooking, and baking.
    • Survived by spouse Karen; children Kemalie Winter, Kristine Grant, Lisa Rinnus; seven grandchildren; a sister; a daughter-in-law; great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
  • Official action:
    • The Senate expresses condolences and extends sympathy to Grant’s family, friends, and associates.
    • A suitable copy of the resolution will be presented to the family.

Who is Affected

  • Primary: Kelly Albert Grant Jr. (deceased) and his immediate family.
  • Secondary: The broader Springfield community and Mel-O-Cream Donuts’ employees and stakeholders, as well as readers of the resolution who recognize his contributions.
  • Institutions: Illinois Senate (as the formal body issuing the memorial).

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • This document is a memorial resolution, a non-binding ceremonial expression of respect.
  • Status: Adopted by the Illinois Senate (as indicated by the resolution text and formatting).
  • Sponsor: Co-sponsor Steve McClure.
  • No fiscal implications or legislative changes are associated with a memorial resolution; it serves to honor and remember a notable individual.

Summary

SR0632 is a commemorative Illinois Senate memorial recognizing the life and contributions of Kelly Albert Grant Jr., a Springfield businessman who led Mel-O-Cream Donuts for over 60 years, expanded the business, aided servicemen overseas during Vietnam, and engaged in community service through rotary activities. The resolution memorializes his achievements, acknowledges his family, and conveys Senate condolences.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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