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2011 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 389
Celebrating the life of Fred Dempsey Smith, Sr.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, January 27, 2011
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 4, 2011
 

WHEREAS, Fred Dempsey Smith, Sr., a devoted family man, respected business leader, and beloved community supporter from the small community of Ararat in Patrick County, died on November 7, 2010; and

WHEREAS, a native of Ararat, Fred Smith was born on November 11, 1922, the oldest of Davis and Irene Gates Smith’s four children, and graduated from Blue Ridge High School; and

WHEREAS, after graduating, Fred Smith left Ararat and worked briefly in the Newport News shipyards before proudly serving his country in the United States Army during World War II as a diver with the 1068th Engineers Service Detachment in the Philippines, where his unit was tasked with clearing the Manila harbor; and

WHEREAS, for his outstanding service, Fred Smith was awarded the American Theater Service Medal; the Asiatic Pacific Theater Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star; the Philippine Liberation Medal with one Bronze Service Star; the Good Conduct Medal; and the World War II Victory Medal; and

WHEREAS, Fred Smith returned to Ararat and married his beloved Maybelle in 1947; they enjoyed 61 years of marriage until her passing and raised two children who brought them great joy and who gave them wonderful grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, possessed with an entrepreneurial spirit, Fred Smith opened and ran several successful businesses throughout his life, including the Ararat Service Center and several gas distribution/grocery stores, before moving into real estate development; and

WHEREAS, devoted to his hometown, Fred Smith dedicated his time and energies to enhancing the community as a longtime member of the Ararat Ruritan Club; he received the Ruritan’s prestigious Thomas Downing Fellowship for his many efforts on behalf of others; and

WHEREAS, Fred Smith aided in the community’s efforts to build a gym at his alma mater and generously donated land for a parsonage at Fellowship Church and for the development of a community park; and

WHEREAS, a 70-year member of Fellowship Church and one of its predecessor churches, Blue Ridge Presbyterian Church, Fred Smith served in nearly every capacity with a willing and cheerful spirit; and

WHEREAS, a quiet and humble man, Fred Smith served his family, community, and country without fanfare, but with great love and devotion, leaving behind a sterling legacy of service; and

WHEREAS, a devoted family man, Fred Smith will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his children, Fred and Becky, and their families and his numerous other family members, friends, and admirers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of an esteemed citizen of Ararat, Fred Dempsey Smith, Sr.; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Fred Dempsey Smith, Sr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.