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2014 SPECIAL SESSION I

14200283D
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 542
Offered June 12, 2014
Celebrating the life of James Shelton Scales.
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Patrons-- Marshall, D.W., Adams and Poindexter
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WHEREAS, James Shelton Scales, a proud veteran and an active supporter of the Martinsville community, died on May 27, 2014; and

WHEREAS, a native of Stokes County, North Carolina, Shelton Scales grew up on his family’s tobacco farm and learned the value of hard work and responsibility at a young age; and

WHEREAS, developing a keen appreciation for the importance of a good education, Shelton Scales graduated from Stoneville High School, attended the Greenbrier Military School, and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and

WHEREAS, Shelton Scales joined many of the other young men of his generation in service to his country during World War II, serving as an instructor at the United States Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in Quantico; and

WHEREAS, rising to the rank of major, Shelton Scales bravely fought in several battles in the Pacific Theater of the war; he led the 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines, 4th Marine Division at the Battle of Iwo Jima and was awarded the Silver Star for his valorous actions; and

WHEREAS, after his honorable discharge, Shelton Scales settled in Martinsville, where he and his wife, Stacy, raised their family; he enjoyed a career as an insurance agent, retiring as president of Burch Hodges Stone, Inc., after 36 years of service; and

WHEREAS, Shelton Scales worked to better the lives of his fellow Martinsville residents as a founding member of the local volunteer fire department and a former president of the local Kiwanis Club; he enjoyed fellowship and worship as a founding member and elder of Forest Hills Presbyterian Church; and

WHEREAS, caring deeply for the Martinsville community, Shelton Scales funded a community college scholarship, and he was often invited by local teachers to share his wisdom and life experiences in their classrooms; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by his wife of nearly 64 years, Stacy, Shelton Scales will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his children, Judy, Joe, Kemp, and Phil, and their families and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of James Shelton Scales, a distinguished veteran and an active member of the Martinsville community; 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 Shelton Scales as an expression of the House of Delegates’ respect for his memory.