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2016 SESSION

16105762D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 194
Offered March 4, 2016
Celebrating the life of A. Raymon Thacker.
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Patrons-- Deeds; Delegates: Fariss, Landes and Toscano
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WHEREAS, A. Raymon Thacker, former mayor of Scottsville who left an enduring legacy, successful businessman, local historian, and devoted husband and father, died on February 21, 2016, at the age of 106; and

WHEREAS, Raymon Thacker, who was born in Stuarts Draft in 1909, moved to Scottsville when he was two years old; he graduated from the Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in 1929 and also studied in Richmond; and

WHEREAS, throughout his life, Raymon Thacker was involved in many businesses and civic activities; he and his brother owned a funeral home, and he worked at a local auto company, helped found an ambulance service and fire department, and was a charter member of the local Lions Club; and

WHEREAS, Raymon Thacker first became involved in local government in 1941 when he was elected to the Scottsville Town Council; he served for a short period and re-entered politics in 1963 when he was again elected to the town council, becoming mayor in 1966 and serving with distinction for 30 years; and

WHEREAS, many accomplishments occurred during Raymon Thacker’s tenure as mayor of Scottsville including the construction of a new bridge across the James River that connects Scottsville to Buckingham County; and

WHEREAS, after Scottsville suffered catastrophic flooding from storms associated with Hurricanes Camille and Agnes in 1969 and 1972, Raymon Thacker secured approval and funding for a dam and levee to protect the historic town that is perched on the banks of the James River, and the A. Raymon Thacker Levee was dedicated in 1989; and

WHEREAS, Raymon Thacker oversaw the annexation of land that expanded the size of the town from 105 acres to a locality of 1,000 acres; the resulting increase in tax income has helped maintain the levee and pay for improvements in Scottsville; and

WHEREAS, respected as a fount of history and lore about Scottsville, Raymon Thacker was especially proud of helping to establish the Scottsville Museum; in addition, a park was built while he was mayor, and a bicycle route opened in 1976 that commemorated the bicentennial of the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, when Raymon Thacker retired as mayor of Scottsville in 1996, he was the longest-serving mayor in the Commonwealth; he was known for his courtly presence, keen political skills, and far-sighted decisions that helped to save the historic town that was his home for 104 years; and

WHEREAS, Raymon Thacker, who was predeceased by his first wife, Emma Lou, and son, Arthur Raymon, Jr., will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by Arbutus, his wife of 54 years; children Matthew, Virginia, and Cary, and their families; and many other family members and friends; 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 A. Raymon Thacker of Scottsville, who was a highly esteemed mayor for 30 years and led the town during a period of great change and progress; and, be it

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