WHEREAS, Robert Paul Warhurst, an admired entrepreneur and the founder of the Merrifield Garden Center, died on April 29, 2015; and WHEREAS, a native of Russellville, Alabama, Robert "Bob" Paul Warhurst learned the value of hard work and responsibility at a young age, taking his first job at the age of seven to help support his family; and WHEREAS, Bob Warhurst became a bricklayer for his older brother's contracting company and had a hand in the construction of many of Northern Virginia's suburban developments; and WHEREAS, desirous to be of further service to the community, Bob Warhurst founded Warhurst Trash Company, then opened The Tradin' Post, a secondhand store to resell intact discarded goods; and WHEREAS, Bob Warhurst began to stock plants at The Tradin' Post and later opened the Merrifield Garden Center to better serve the community's needs for a local nursery; under his able leadership, the center grew to become one of the largest independent garden centers in the country, with three locations in Northern Virginia; and WHEREAS, an active business leader, Bob Warhurst also helped establish two banks and gave generously to charitable and civic organizations; the story of his inspirational journey through life was published in The American Dream: The Rags to Roses Story of Bob Warhurst and the Founding of the Merrifield Garden Center; and WHEREAS, Bob Warhurst will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Billie Jean; children, Debbie, Robert, Jr., Larry, Donny, and Kevin, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Robert Paul Warhurst, a respected entrepreneur in the Fairfax 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 Robert Paul Warhurst as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory. |