LAMONT UPTON

Lamont Upton, 67, of Pembroke Township, IL, departed this life on Thursday, February 18, 2016 at Presence St. MaryÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s Hospital, after a lengthy illness. Visitation will be Friday, February 26, 2016 from 4:00 until 8:00 P.M. at Lax Mortuary and again on Saturday, February 27, 2016 from 9:00 A.M. until time of funeral services at 10:00 A.M. at Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. Pastor Howard L. Wills Sr. will officiate. Burial will be in Kankakee Memorial Gardens. Lamont was born to the union of the late Reverend Lamoan and Joyce Upton on June 18, 1948 in Chicago Illinois. Lamont accepted Christ at a young age at Union Baptist Church in Pembroke, Illinois. He attended Momence High School where he starred in Basketball, Football and Track & Field. He furthered his education at Thornton Community College in South Holland, Illinois, where he obtained his AssociateÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s in Arts Degree in June 1975. Lamont joined the United States Marine Corps in 1966 and served his country while fighting in the Vietnam War from 1966-1968. Lamont was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal and Vietnamese Campaign Medal before he was honorably discharged from the Marines in 1968. Upon receiving his discharge, Lamont worked for the Chicago Transit Authority as a bus driver until he started his career in Law Enforcement in 1977. Lamont worked for the Dwight Correctional Center as a correctional officer and he later transferred to the Juvenile Correctional Department for youth where he worked until he began his career at the Kankakee Police Department in January 1983. Lamont served in various roles while with the Department: Patrolman, Juvenile Officer, Detective, and Patrol Supervisor, after being promoted to Sergeant in 1999. Lamont devoted 25 years to the Kankakee Police Department until his retirement in March 2008. Lamont loved the brotherhood he obtained from the Law Enforcement Community. Lamont affectionately known as Ã¢â‚¬Å"June BugÃ¢â‚¬Â lived a private and simple life, however he lived his life to the fullest. He was a fun loving person who dedicated his life to taking care of others. He also enjoyed watching sports and movies, purchasing old cars, cooking, and reminiscing about old times with friends and family. Lamont leaves to cherish his memories; his loving wife, Holly Jo Upton of Pembroke Township, IL; four daughters, Carlaia (Joe) Randall of Little Rock, AR, Patrina Johnson of Chicago, IL, Toni (Marcus) Gipson of Matteson, IL and Michelle (Tilovon) Crite of Springfield, IL; five sons, Shannon Upton of Bourbonnais, IL, Frank Upton of Ft. Myers, FL, Jarred Upton of St. Anne, IL, Joshua (Nicole) Upton of Momence, IL and Michael (Mary) Bennett of Kankakee, IL; four brothers, Marvin (Shelia) Upton, Derrell Upton, Tyress (Kiela) Upton and Mark (Tina) Upton; four sisters, Kimberly Upton, Cassandra (Freddie) Hollins, Dayna Upton, and Kina Baker; special aunt, Barbara Hughes; special friends, Adrienne (Jessie) Hinds; 28 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and a host of sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Heardy and Leona Hughes and Henry and Bettie Yancy; his parents, Reverend Lamoan and Joyce Upton; his first wife, Bobbie Upton; one sister, Valerie Gebre; one brother, Michael Upton and one grandson, KeanteÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ Johnson.

Tributes

LAMONT UPTON

June 18, 1948 - February 18, 2016