SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2020 SPECIAL SESSION I


SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 515
Celebrating the life of David McMath Parker.

 

Agreed to by the Senate, August 20, 2020

 

WHEREAS, David McMath Parker, an accomplished businessman, civic leader, and beloved member of the Eastern Shore community, died on May 14, 2020; and

WHEREAS, a journalist dedicated to informing the public, David Parker was editor of The Eastern Shore News before becoming vice president of Atlantic Publications; he became active in the Virginia Press Association, serving both on the organization’s board and as its president; and

WHEREAS, David Parker worked tirelessly to support economic development in the Commonwealth; he served both on the board and as president of the Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber of Commerce, on the board of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, and as executive director of both the Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism Commission and the Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation; and

WHEREAS, active and involved in his community all his life, David Parker gave generously of his time and talents to various civic organizations, including the Eastern Shore Jaycees, Ducks Unlimited, the Barrier Islands Center, the United Way, and the Onancock Rotary Club; and

WHEREAS, committed to ensuring academic excellence for the youth of his community, David Parker served on the boards of both the Eastern Shore Community College Foundation and Broadwater Academy; and

WHEREAS, with passionate concern for the well-being of others, David Parker invested substantial time and energy into various health causes, raising funds for the Riverside Shore Memorial Cancer Center in Nassawadox and serving on the boards of the Shore Health & Rehabilitation Center in Parksley and Shore Health Services, which operates Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital; and

WHEREAS, beyond his outsized contributions to various organizations in the region, David Parker also focused his leadership gifts locally, serving both on the town council and as mayor of Onley; and

WHEREAS, guided throughout his life by his deep and abiding faith, David Parker enjoyed worship and fellowship with his community at Onley United Methodist Church, where he held various leadership positions; and

WHEREAS, combining his faith with his impressive business acumen, David Parker also chaired the finance committee of the Eastern Shore district of the United Methodist Church and led the Eastern Shore Christian Businessmen’s Association; and

WHEREAS, David Parker will be dearly remembered and fondly missed by his loving wife, Mary Esther; his daughter, Kristin, and her family; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of David McMath Parker, a revered businessman and community leader who touched countless live through his grace, kindness, and compassion; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of David McMath Parker as an expression of the Senate of Virginia’s respect for his memory.