WHEREAS, the Honorable Richard S. Bray, an esteemed attorney and jurist, distinguished judge, and beloved member of the Chesapeake community, died on May 4, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Richard Bray graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth in 1964 before earning a bachelor's degree in political science and economics from Randolph-Macon College and a juris doctor degree from what was formerly the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at The College of William & Mary; and

WHEREAS, Richard Bray embarked upon his illustrious legal career as a law clerk for former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia Lawrence W. I'Anson and thereafter served as an associate attorney at the law firms of Hodges & Kellam and Kellam, Pickrell & Lawler; and

WHEREAS, from 1975 to 1989, Richard Bray ran his own practice, Bray & Whitehurst, alongside his close friend Colon H. Whitehurst, working tirelessly to secure positive outcomes for his clients; and

WHEREAS, after an appointment to serve as commissioner in chancery by judges of the First Judicial Circuit in Chesapeake, Richard Bray was appointed in 1989 by the General Assembly to serve as a judge for the Third Judicial Circuit of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Richard Bray was promoted two years later to serve as judge for the Court of Appeals of Virginia, and he carried out his duties as an arbiter of justice with great honor and integrity, concluding his judicial career as the senior judge on the Court of Appeals from 2002 to 2003; and

WHEREAS, Richard Bray gave generously of his time for the benefit of others through his involvement with several bar associations and community organizations, as a commissioner for the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, and as the director of the State Fair of Virginia from 2008 to 2010; and

WHEREAS, Richard Bray was particularly passionate about his work with the Beazley Foundation, Inc., which he served as president, chief executive officer, and board chair, advancing a number of education, health care, and community development initiatives to support his fellow Virginians; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of his laudable service, Richard Bray was named First Citizen of Chesapeake in 2009, was presented the Lifetime Achievement in Philanthropy award by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and was inducted into the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia Hall of Fame in 2023; and

WHEREAS, guided throughout his life by his faith, Richard Bray enjoyed worship and fellowship with his community at First Presbyterian Church of Norfolk, where he served as a trustee and usher; and

WHEREAS, Richard Bray will be fondly remembered by his loving wife of 27 years, Dawn, and her daughters, and by numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of the Honorable Richard S. Bray, a treasured member of the Chesapeake community whose legacy of service will inspire others for generations to come; 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 Richard S. Bray as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.