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2017 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 1010
Celebrating the life of James A. Rich, Jr.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 20, 2017
Agreed to by the Senate, February 22, 2017

 

WHEREAS, James A. Rich, Jr., a decorated veteran, respected public safety officer, and a hardworking businessman who made many contributions to the Danville and Pittsylvania County communities, died on January 9, 2017; and

WHEREAS, James Rich graduated from Schoolfield High School, then joined many of the other young men of his generation in service to the nation during World War II as a member of the United States Army Air Corps; and

WHEREAS, James Rich continued his military service with the Army National Guard, rising to the rank of first lieutenant, and in 2016, he received the Legion of Honor, France’s highest military distinction, for his role in liberating the country from Nazi occupation during World War II; and

WHEREAS, James Rich enjoyed a long career in business as the president and chief executive officer of Rich Industrial Supply, J. A. Welding Supply Co., Inc., and Home Oxygen and Medical Equipment of VA, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, James Rich worked to serve and safeguard the members of the community as the first fire marshal for Pittsylvania County and training director of the Danville Life Saving Crew; and

WHEREAS, James Rich also volunteered his time and leadership with the Faith Home for Children and the Hatcher Center and as a past president and regional governor of the Sertoma Club; and

WHEREAS, James Rich enjoyed fellowship and worship with the community as a 29-year member of Woodlawn Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, chair of deacons, Sunday school teacher, and Bible study leader; and

WHEREAS, James Rich also brought joy to the congregations of other local Baptist churches through his love of song as a choir director of Forest Lawn Baptist Church, Calvary Baptist Church, Shermont Baptist Church, Vandola Baptist Church, and Kentuck Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by his wife, Dollie, James Rich will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his children, James III, Debbie, Wade, and Laurie, 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 James A. Rich, Jr., a patriotic veteran and a pillar of the Danville 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 A. Rich, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.