WHEREAS, Linwood Dixon Ross, esteemed scoutmaster and deacon and beloved member of the Richmond community, died on May 9, 2021; and

WHEREAS, raised during the Great Depression, Linwood Ross overcame many challenges to graduate from Armstrong High School in Richmond and to build a successful 50-year career at the Port of Richmond, where he rose from laborer to supervisor; and

WHEREAS, over his remarkable 70-year tenure as scoutmaster with Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Troop 478 in Richmond, Linwood Ross helped countless young men build character and prepare to be responsible and productive members of their community; and

WHEREAS, in addition to leading BSA Troop 478, Linwood Ross held posts in the organization's Frederick Douglass District before its dissolution in 1968 and served on the staff of four National Scout jamborees; and

WHEREAS, Linwood Ross' outsized contribution to the community included membership in the Maymont Civic League and his area's chapter of the NAACP; and

WHEREAS, Linwood Ross, one of the longest serving scoutmasters in the history of both the BSA and the Girl Scouts of the USA, was inducted into the BSA National Hall of Leadership and won several prestigious service awards for his extraordinary commitment to the organization; and

WHEREAS, Linwood Ross motivated his scouts to achieve their best by setting high expectations, providing encouragement at every opportunity, and working tirelessly to teach them the skills and principles of scouting; and

WHEREAS, guided throughout his life by his faith, Linwood Ross was a lifelong member of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Richmond, where he held the meetings of BSA Troop 478 and served as deacon for many years; and

WHEREAS, preceded in death by his loving wife, Marie, and two sons, Linwood and Michael, Linwood Ross will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his grandchildren, Shirelle, Linwood, Jr., and Kaylin, and their families, 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 Linwood Dixon Ross, a treasured scoutmaster, deacon, and member of the Richmond community whose dedication to service touched countless lives; 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 Linwood Dixon Ross as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.