WHEREAS, the Honorable John Patrick Graybeal, a native of Emory who served as a veteran of the United States Navy and a former chief judge of the 27th Judicial District of Virginia, died on March 16, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Patrick "Pat" Graybeal earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Richmond after graduating from Radford High School, then served on active duty in the United States Navy from 1952 to 1956; he ultimately retired from the United States Navy Reserve as a lieutenant commander after 21 years of service; and

WHEREAS, Pat Graybeal returned to the University of Richmond to earn a law degree, then practiced law in Christiansburg for five years until he became the Commonwealth's attorney in Montgomery County; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure as a prosecutor, Pat Graybeal was targeted for retaliation by a recently paroled murder convict and lost both his hands to an explosive device planted by the convict; and

WHEREAS, Pat Graybeal recovered from the attack through his faith, positivity, and perseverance, and his commitment to justice and the rule of law was inspirational to his fellow jurists; and

WHEREAS, in 1989, Pat Graybeal was selected as Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court judge of the 27th Judicial District of Virginia; he presided over the court with great fairness and wisdom, serving as chief judge from 1993 to 1997 and as a visiting judge from 1997 until his well-earned retirement in 2007; and

WHEREAS, over the course of his career, Pat Graybeal provided his wisdom and expertise to several peer and professional organizations, serving as president of the Virginia Association of Commonwealth's Attorneys and as a member of its board of directors for 14 years, along with several other leadership roles; and

WHEREAS, Pat Graybeal was a devoted volunteer leader in his community who gave generously of his time and talents, including as a past president of the Christiansburg-Blacksburg Rotary Club and a member or supporter of many other charitable organizations; and

WHEREAS, Pat Graybeal served the Commonwealth with the utmost dedication, dignity, humility, compassion, and integrity; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by his daughter, Sally, Pat Graybeal will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 70 years, Jill; his daughter, Nancy, and her family; his daughter Sally's family; 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 the Honorable John Patrick Graybeal, who served the nation and the Commonwealth with distinction as a veteran and former chief judge of the 27th Judicial District of Virginia; 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 John Patrick Graybeal as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.