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2009 SESSION

099086220
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 442
Offered February 12, 2009
Celebrating the life of the Honorable Charles Wesley Gunn, Jr.
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Patrons-- Deeds, Hanger and Martin
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WHEREAS, the Honorable Charles Wesley Gunn, Jr., of Richmond, a beloved citizen of the Commonwealth and member of the House of Delegates from 1964 to 1978, died on January 13, 2009; and

WHEREAS, a native of Tallahassee, Florida, Charles (Bunny) Gunn was born on July 31, 1922, and began his early work life selling pecans from his parents’ trees and working as a teenage extra in Johnny Weissmuller’s Tarzan films; and

WHEREAS, Charles Gunn married the love of his life, the late Mary Wilson Sheffield, and proudly served his country in the united States. Navy during World War II, where he fought in the North Atlantic, Caribbean, and South Pacific; and

WHEREAS, a dedicated and hard-working student, Charles Gunn attended John B. Stetson University and Florida State University and received a law degree from Washington and Lee University; and

WHEREAS, known for his strong work ethic and knowledge of the law, Charles Gunn established his own law practice in the City of Lexington and was a judge in the Buena Vista Municipal Court from 1962 to 63, where he served the citizens of Buena Vista with great integrity and fairness; and

WHEREAS, desiring to make a difference in the Commonwealth, Judge Gunn became involved in state politics and served in the House of Delegates from 1964 to 1978, representing the Cities of Lexington, Buena Vista, Bedford, and part of Lynchburg and the Counties of Rockbridge, Bedford, and Franklin; and

WHEREAS, Delegate Gunn served on the Appropriations; Health, Welfare and Institutions; and Roads and Internal Navigation Committees and was  the chair of the General Assembly’s Conservation and Natural Resources Committee; and

WHEREAS, a champion for those with physical and mental disabilities, Delegate Gunn was an able lawmaker and influential member who worked diligently to enact important legislation for the citizens of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, in 1979, Delegate Gunn was named Director of Administrative Services for the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation; after his retirement he was appointed a member of the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services Board; and

WHEREAS, concerned with the welfare of his neighbors, Delegate Gunn served in many organizations within his community, including as president of the Lexington-Rockbridge Chamber of Commerce, Lexington Lifesaving and First Aid Crew, and Jaycees; and

WHEREAS, Delegate Gunn served as president of the Rockbridge County-Buena Vista Bar Association, as a member of the Council of the Virginia State Bar, and as a member of the Virginia Bar Association; and

WHEREAS, a faithful and humble servant, Delegate Gunn was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church for many years and then Third Presbyterian Church; he also served as a substitute itinerant lay preacher at several small churches; and

WHEREAS, Delegate Gunn will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his children Charles W. Gunn III and Annhorner Truitt and their families; his colleagues on both sides of the aisle; and the citizens of the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the loss of one of its admired former members, the Honorable Charles Wesley Gunn, Jr.; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of the Honorable Charles Wesley Gunn, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.