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2016 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 497
Celebrating the life of the Honorable Desmond C. Wray, Jr.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 9, 2016
Agreed to by the Senate, March 10, 2016

 

WHEREAS, the Honorable Desmond C. Wray, Jr., a respected veteran, attorney, and former judge who made many contributions to the Staunton and Augusta County communities, died on February 14, 2016; and

WHEREAS, a native of Suffolk, Desmond Wray graduated from Robert E. Lee High School, attended Virginia Military Institute, and graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps; and

WHEREAS, after two years as a ground officer, Desmond Wray completed his training as a Marine aviator and was certified as a carrier pilot, then served with a gunnery unit in Florida as a flight instructor; and

WHEREAS, after retiring from active duty, Desmond Wray continued to serve in the United States Marine Corps Forces Reserve, where he retired with the rank of colonel as commanding officer of 20th Staff Group, which was then the only reserve unit under operational control of Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic; and

WHEREAS, in 1961, Desmond Wray graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law, where he served on the Honor Committee and was elected to the prestigious Omicron Delta Kappa Society; and

WHEREAS, Desmond Wray practiced law in the City of Staunton and worked to strengthen and enhance the community as a member of many civic organizations, including the Shenandoah Regional Airport Commission, City of Staunton Planning Commission, and University of Virginia Dupont Scholarship Selection Committee; and

WHEREAS, for 10 years, Desmond Wray presided with great fairness and wisdom as a judge in Augusta County, and he served for 20 years as city attorney for the City of Staunton; and

WHEREAS, Desmond Wray will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Frances; children, Desmond III, Tod, Mary, and Ann, and their families; and numerous 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 the Honorable Desmond C. Wray, Jr., a patriotic veteran and a respected attorney and judge who made many contributions to the Staunton and Augusta County communities; 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 the Honorable Desmond C. Wray, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.