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2010 SESSION

10104943D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 258
Offered February 10, 2010
Celebrating the life of Charles J. Davis, Jr.
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Patrons-- Poindexter, Abbitt, Armstrong, Cleaveland, Cox, M.K., Griffith, Janis, Loupassi, Massie, Nixon, O'Bannon, Putney and Ware, R.L.; Senator: Hurt and Reynolds
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WHEREAS, after 97 years of enjoying a rich, rewarding, and productive life, Charles J. Davis, Jr., of Rocky Mount, Virginia, passed away peacefully on January 17, 2010; and

WHEREAS, C.J. Davis entered this life in Rocky Mount on October 2, 1912, the son of C.J. Davis, Sr., and Betsey Lemon Davis; and

WHEREAS, for 66 years, C.J. Davis was married to the love of his life, Annie Marie Brown Davis, who passed away on January 1, 2005; and

WHEREAS, C.J. Davis is survived by his daughter, Anne B. Davis of Richmond; his son and daughter-in-law Charles J. Davis III and Christine; and grandsons Charles J. (Chad) Davis IV and Dr. M. Andrew Davis; and

WHEREAS, as a 1934 graduate of The College of William & Mary with a degree in chemistry, C.J. Davis was employed initially by E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company in Martinsville; and

WHEREAS, later, C.J. Davis had a distinguished 30-year career with the Commonwealth of Virginia as Chief Probation and Parole Officer for Franklin and Bedford Counties; and

WHEREAS, like so many others, C.J. Davis was a part of what is now appropriately referred to as America’s Greatest Generation because of his service and sacrifice during World War II; as a Medic in the United States Army (1943 - 1945), he served in the European Theater and was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge, the bloodiest of battles that U.S. forces experienced in the war; and

WHEREAS, C.J. Davis’ heroism and gallantry in the face of intense hostile fire and his own personal sacrifice resulted in his being awarded the Purple Heart, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and the Bronze Star Oak Leaf Cluster; quoting the U.S. Army Citation, "Even when fragments pierced his clothing, he continued to administer first aid until all casualties had received treatment. His prompt administration of aid saved the lives of at least four seriously wounded men. Davis’ courage and subjugation of his own safety to the needs of the wounded are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service”; and

WHEREAS, upon his recovery and return to civilian life in Franklin County, C.J. Davis served for nearly two decades as a Boy Scout leader and helped mold the lives of many young men who became leaders in the public and private sectors; and

WHEREAS, C.J. Davis was a founding member of the Franklin County Rescue Squad and served a lengthy tour as treasurer of the squad; and

WHEREAS, C.J. Davis enriched the lives of so many in his community and in 2008 was presented with the Rocky Mount Rotary Club’s Patriot Award; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of a dedicated and admired public servant and war hero, Charles J. Davis, Jr.; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Charles J. Davis, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.