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2017 SESSION
WHEREAS, James B. Ricketts, a United States Navy veteran and a pioneer in promoting tourism and travel in Virginia Beach as well as statewide and nationally, died on March 23, 2016; and
WHEREAS, James “Jim” Ricketts was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Admiral Claude V. Ricketts and Marjorie C. Ricketts; and
WHEREAS, Jim Ricketts graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, in 1963 and the Naval Officer Candidate School and Naval Supply Corps School in 1964; and
WHEREAS, Jim Ricketts was an accomplished commissioned Navy officer, serving four years overseas at United States Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, where he was responsible for financial management; and
WHEREAS, in 1972, Jim Ricketts transitioned into a career in the travel industry, first working for the Cruise Service Bureau for the Norfolk Port and Industrial Authority; and
WHEREAS, Jim Ricketts spent 42 years with the Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, where he was an award-winning innovator, developer, and leader of the city’s tourism renaissance, credited with transforming a sleepy summer beach town to a year-round resort and tourist destination; and
WHEREAS, Jim Ricketts dedicated his life to promoting tourism and economic development in Virginia Beach through his numerous local, state, and national leadership positions in trade associations, including service as a board member of the United States Travel Association and Virginia Tourism Corporation; and
WHEREAS, Jim Ricketts enjoyed traveling with family, working in the yard, caring for his vintage cars, and walking his dog, Buffy, and is remembered for his compassion, kindness, humility, and humor; and
WHEREAS, a caring and loving family man, Jim Ricketts was preceded in death by a son, Sean, and he will be fondly remembered and missed by his wife of 30 years, Jean; children, Todd, Cari, and Pamela, and their families; and numerous 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 James B. Ricketts, a proud United States Navy veteran and tireless promoter of Virginia Beach tourism; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of James B. Ricketts as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.