SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2011 SESSION

11104583D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 838
Offered February 9, 2011
Celebrating the life of James L. Smith, Jr.
----------
Patrons-- James and Oder
----------

WHEREAS, James L. Smith, Jr., of Portsmouth, who served his family, community, and country with great distinction, died on December 18, 2010; and

WHEREAS, a native of Portsmouth, James Smith graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; and

WHEREAS, a man with a profound love of his country, James Smith served in three campaigns over the course of three years during World War II; as a member of the 17th Airborne Division, he dropped behind enemy lines from a glider armed with a bazooka to attack the enemy; and

WHEREAS, upon his return to Portsmouth, James Smith entered into the family business, eventually becoming the second generation president of J.L. Smith Construction Company, guiding the company with a steady hand and strong focus on quality construction and excellent customer service; and

WHEREAS, an admired business leader and able administrator, James Smith later worked for and retired from Harvey Lindsay Commercial Real Estate; he also served as a member of the board of directors of Citizens Trust Bank and Commerce Bank; and

WHEREAS, James Smith dedicated his time and energy to the betterment of his community, serving as an influential member of the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Portsmouth Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, the Zoning Board of Appeals, and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel Commission; and

WHEREAS, desirous to meet the needs of those individuals and organizations in the community in need, James Smith was a 50-year member of the Portsmouth Rotary Club, serving as president from 1979 to 1980; and

WHEREAS, James Smith was a man of great faith and enjoyed fellowship and worship at Trinity Episcopal Church, where he served as a trustee, vestryman, junior warden, and senior warden; and

WHEREAS, James Smith lived a full life marked by distinguished service to his family, community, and country; and

WHEREAS, known as an enthusiastic golfer and duck hunter, James Smith enjoyed spending time with his beloved family, including his late wife of 55 years, Ann, and leaves behind many cherished memories for his children, Laurey, James, and Douglas and their families to enjoy; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of an esteemed citizen of the Commonwealth, James L. Smith, 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 James L. Smith, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.