WHEREAS, Lawrence Randolph Thomas, an honored veteran and beloved member of the Greensville County community, died on July 3, 2020; and
WHEREAS, born in Greensville County, Lawrence Thomas was affectionately known to family and friends as "Bubba," "JR," and "Ra'ul"; and
WHEREAS, Lawrence Thomas enlisted with the United States Army in 1965 as a parachute assault operations specialist with the 82nd Airborne Division and served his country valorously during the Vietnam War; and
WHEREAS, Lawrence Thomas earned several military decorations for his service, including the National Defense Service Medal, the Parachutist Badge, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and an Overseas Service Bar; and
WHEREAS, Lawrence Thomas was awarded a Purple Heart medal for wounds received in action on May 25, 1967, and was honorably discharged from the United States Army the following year; and
WHEREAS, over a nearly four-decade professional career, Lawrence Thomas worked tirelessly for the benefit of various businesses and organizations, including Kingsbury Homes, Boise Cascade/Georgia-Pacific, Newport News Shipbuilding, McElroy Truck Lines, and Edward W. Wyatt Middle School in Greensville County; and
WHEREAS, guided throughout his life by his deep and abiding faith, Lawrence Thomas enjoyed worship and fellowship with his community at Claresville Baptist Church in Emporia, where was the president of the male chorus, a member of the senior choir, a trustee, and a custodian; and
WHEREAS, Lawrence Thomas will be dearly remembered and fondly missed by his loving wife of 54 years, Julie; his children, Warren, Charlene, Veronica, and Lawrence, 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 Lawrence Randolph Thomas, a decorated veteran of the United States Army who was a model of integrity to all he knew; 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 Lawrence Randolph Thomas as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.