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2015 SESSION
15103013DPatrons-- O'Quinn, Campbell, Kilgore and Pillion; Senators: Carrico and Chafin
WHEREAS, James Conrad Blankenbecler, Jr., a reporter for WCYB television station in Bristol, who was known for his masterful storytelling skills and fondness for the people and places in the Tri-Cities area, died on December 16, 2014; and
WHEREAS, James Blankenbecler, who was known to most people by his professional name, Jim Conrad, was born in Wise County and was proud to call Southwest Virginia home; he graduated from J.J. Kelly High School and East Tennessee State University; and
WHEREAS, Jim Conrad’s career in broadcasting began when he became a disc jockey on WETB radio in Johnson City, Tennessee, where on his afternoon show he was known as “Cosmic Conrad”; and
WHEREAS, Jim Conrad first worked for WCYB as a videographer and had been at the station for more than 25 years at the time of his death; he produced newscasts for a time and later focused on regional stories that highlighted his love of rural Southwest Virginia; and
WHEREAS, much of Jim Conrad’s work featured the men and women who helped make his community a special place; he had an ability to make friends instantly with the people he interviewed, and he loved telling their stories to a television audience; and
WHEREAS, listening was one of Jim Conrad’s strongest skills; he was fair and he delighted in producing memorable stories about interesting, noteworthy, and unusual people in the region—warm and folksy tales that may not have otherwise been known; and
WHEREAS, colleagues and friends remember Jim Conrad as a leader who was a caring friend with a good sense of humor and a steady, encouraging presence; he readily shared his professional knowledge and love of the area with them; and
WHEREAS, Jim Conrad will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by Sheilah, his wife of 26 years; his daughters, Sara and Crystal, and their families; and by many other family members and friends; 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 James Conrad Blankenbecler, Jr., a reporter for WCYB television station in Bristol, whose masterful storytelling skills produced many warm and interesting tales of people and places in the Tri-Cities area; 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 Conrad Blankenbecler, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.