Bill Text: VA HJR368 | 2018 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of the Honorable Kermit Lee Racey, Sr.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-03-06 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ368ER) [HJR368 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2018-HJR368-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, the Honorable Kermit Lee Racey, Sr., a decorated veteran, respected attorney in Woodstock, and former judge of the Shenandoah County General District Court, died on May 13, 2017; and
WHEREAS, a native of Woodstock, Kermit Racey learned the value of hard work and responsibility at a young age; he sold wild fruit and nuts to help support his family and later worked as a shoe shiner while attending Woodstock High School, where he lettered in basketball and football; and
WHEREAS, prior to graduation, Kermit Racey enlisted in the United States Army and volunteered for the paratroopers, joining many of the other young men of his generation in service to the nation during World War II; and
WHEREAS, Kermit Racey served with the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment and the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment and saw action throughout the European Theater of the war during the Battle of the Ruhr, the Battle of the Bulge, and Operation Varsity, the last large-scale airborne operation of the war; he earned a Bronze Star Medal for single-handedly destroying an enemy tank at great personal risk; and
WHEREAS, Kermit Racey served as part of the Berlin occupation forces, then returned home to march with the 82nd Airborne Division in the Victory Day parade in New York City; he completed his education on the GI Bill, graduating cum laude from Washington and Lee University and later earning a law degree; and
WHEREAS, Kermit Racey received a reserve commission as an officer in the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps and was the commanding officer of an Air Force Reserve unit in Shenandoah County for many years; and
WHEREAS, Kermit Racey was well known in the Shenandoah County community as an experienced attorney who helped many people through pro bono work; he also served as a Commonwealth's Attorney from 1964 to 1968 and was appointed as a judge of the Shenandoah County General District Court of the 26th Judicial District of Virginia, where he presided with great fairness and wisdom from 1970 to 1980; and
WHEREAS, having inspired his son to follow in his footsteps as an attorney, Kermit Racey returned to private practice at Racey & Racey, where he served for 33 years, until his well-earned retirement in 2012; and
WHEREAS, Kermit Racey also supported the community as a member of the Rotary Club of Woodstock and president of the Shenandoah County Chamber of Commerce; he enjoyed fellowship and worship with the congregation of Woodstock Christian Church; and
WHEREAS, predeceased by his beloved wife, Madge, and one daughter, Carrie Ann, Kermit Racey will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his children, Kermit II, Lance, Marlene, and Robyn, 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 Kermit Lee Racey, Sr., a veteran, attorney, and judge, who made countless contributions to the Woodstock 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 the Honorable Kermit Lee Racey, Sr., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.
