September 17, 1937 in Chicago a son was born to Caroline and Jack Ealy. They later named that son, Horace Martin Ealy. As years passed Horace attended St. Elizabeth Grammer School. He then went on to attend Parker High School graduating June of 1955. From there he briefly attended the University of Illinois Navy Pier before going on to Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD where he pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and met his first wife Anne. Once graduating he then attended the University of Toledo in Toledo, OH where he earned his Juris Doctor Degree.
From the union Horace shared with Anne they had a son, who they named Ethan M. Ealy. As time went on Horace left Baltimore and found his way back to Chicago, IL as a single man. There he shared time with good friends and family. During his return to Chicago, IL he met Kathryn (Kay) O. Johnson. They had their first date on November 19, 1982 (she noted it on her calendar) and after many home cooked meals that he prepared and additional dates, they were wed on April 16, 1983. They became a sort of blended family as their combined children were all adults. Lucky them!
Horace was blessed with 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren! A novice photographer at the time, he loved taking pictures of and with them whenever he was in their presence! He later became more interested in photography taking several pictures of various landscapes, friends and family! He was so interested in photgraphy that it came to be "A man and his Camera!" Sometimes, it got to be a bit much and you just wanted to take that camera away from him! In a loving way of course.
Horace was a great cook, serving up meals like he was the Chef du Jour! He would bake, broil, grill, boil, fricassee, and sometimes fry. Can you imagine being served each dish on your plate as if you were in the swankiest white table cloth restaurant and you had your own personal server. Yes, he was chef and server in one! You couldn't help but compliment 99% of his meals. Oh that 1%, he occasionally would burn (not in a good way) ribs on the grill.
Horace was also known by all as a jazz aficionado! He could tell you, show you and groove with you to some of the great jazz artist of our time! He knew his Jazz! He also enjoyed a good round of tennis later joining the Hyde Park Tennis Club playing with great friends on a regular basis! He loved to ride his bike along a winding trail taking him from Matteson, IL to Joliet, IL. He was an avid reader, and enjoyed watching the stars from his telescope propped on the deck of his and Kay's home. He also, was up for a good game of chess with whoever would sit and play, even if it was the computer generated opponent. Fun fact...Horace also played the trumpet and loved a good glass of wine, vodka, beer and his Snickers!
Horace went on to practice law wih several companies including the Chicago Transit Authority and the Chicago Board of Education before starting his own practice and later retiring.
Horace was preceeded in death by both parents (Caroline and Jack), his sisters Verdia and Joan and nieces June and Barbara. His good friends, Robert and Denise White, Gertrude (Sunni) Knight, Donald (Don) Sykes, Roosevelt (Teddy) Waters, Earline Hutchinson, Tops (last names unkwown), and several other beloved friends and family members. He leaves behind his wife, Kathryn O. Ealy, his son, Ethan M. Ealy. step-children, Melinda P. Johnson-Martin and Nowell P. Johnson. Grandchildren, Corey Nowell Guice, Kristyn A. Martin, Myles Prentice Martin (Ryan) Brendan Nowell Epps Johnson, Madisyn Kaitlyn Epps Johnson, Twins, Holland and Lenora Ealy and Chase Epps Johnson. Great grandchildren: Naomi K., Myles P. Jr. and Rylee R. Martin. His good friends, John Devine, Alvin (Nicky) Stewart, Tyrone Crowder, Elaine Pochiro, Gerri Sykes, Hans and Cathy Fladung, Robert (Bob) Knight, Don and Jo (last name unknown), and a host of additional friends and extended family members.
The family thanks you for taking the time to view and remember Horace!
