LaMarr Billups Obituary

Billups, LaMarr Q. III A lifelong fighter for economic and social justice, died on November 11, 2011, after collapsing at his home in Falls Church, VA. LaMarr, born October 28, 1952, had a deep and abiding love for his family, was a caring and loyal friend, and was a valued leader and colleague in his profession and community. He believed in the inherent dignity of all human beings, from whatever walks of life, and these core values informed and guided all aspects of his personal, professional and community life. He had an indefatigable optimism, a big smile and bigger heart, gladly giving of his time, wisdom, intellect, good judgment, and considerable talents to improve others' lives. LaMarr was born, raised and educated in Chicago, Ill. He attended St. Anselm Elementary School and graduated from Cathedral High School (1970). He was a proud graduate of Loyola University of Chicago, where he received his BA in sociology and education (1974), followed by a MA in public policy-criminal justice from the University of Illinois at Chicago (1977). His career reflected his values, focusing on public service, working both in government and in higher education. Highlights include work in Wisconsin State government as a Career Executive and Senior Administrative Officer for the Wisconsin Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations (1985-1992); service as a Senior Legislative Assistant to U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (1993-1995), where he assisted the Senator in a wide range of domestic policy areas; and serving as Special Assistant for Local Government and Community Relations to two chancellors at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1996-2007), representing them on a range of issues within the Madison and Dane County community, including community and economic development and education. At his death, he was Assistant Vice President for Business Planning Policy at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where he worked to implement Georgetown's social and economic justice values into the University's business relationships with its institutional partners. LaMarr called Madison, WI home for most of his adult life and was an active member of many organizations and their boards, among them the Urban League of Greater Madison, the Madison Cultural Arts District/Overture Center for the Arts, 100 Black Men of Madison, Wisconsin Association of Black State Employees, and Edgewood College. He also served on the boards of Loyola University of Chicago National Alumni Association and the Workers Rights Consortium, which advances anti-sweatshop initiatives in the manufacture of collegiate apparel. He is survived by his wife Sheryl Billups; daughter Rachel Montgomery; father LaMarr Billups, Sr.; brother Bernard Maston; two nieces, Roshawn Dubois and LaVonne Maston-Fisher and family; nephew Marcus Maston; life-long friend/sister Gale Spencer and son Alex; second cousin Alberta Williams; stepson Mitchell Head and wife Lisa; his extended family in Chicago and Muscatine, Iowa; and his sisters-in-law and families in Colorado and Texas. LaMarr was preceded in death by his beloved mother Margie Billups, brothers Jerome and James Maston, and mother-in-law Lillian Smith. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 10, at St. Anselm Catholic Church, 6045 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill., with a 1:00 p.m. reception following at Ramada Chicago Hyde Park, 4900 Lake Shore Drive. Donations in memory of LaMarr Q. Billups can be made to: U.W. Health Transplant Program and/or Laurie Ferber Transplant Fund: Make gifts online, UW Health website at www.uwhealth.org/transplant. Loyola University Chicago College of Arts & Science: Make gifts online, Loyola University Chicago website at www.luc.edu/give. The Alumni Association will ensure that contributions made in LaMarr's memory are directed to student scholarships.