Bill Text: VA SJR129 | 2018 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Harry Taft Rutherford, Jr.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-02-23 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ129ER) [SJR129 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2018-SJR129-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Harry Taft Rutherford, Jr., a successful entrepreneur who worked to enhance the quality of life for residents living in Russell County and Southwest Virginia by volunteering his wise leadership with many civic and service organizations, died on January 17, 2018; and
WHEREAS, a native of Richlands, Harry Rutherford was affectionately known to family and friends as "Budge;" he graduated from Honaker High School and earned a bachelor's degree from Roanoke College; and
WHEREAS, Harry Rutherford served the community as the owner and operator of Modern Chevrolet for more than two decades; he was well respected in the automobile industry, served on an advisory board to the commissioner of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, and held numerous leadership positions in the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association, including president; and
WHEREAS, desirous to be of further service to the community, Harry Rutherford accepted an appointment to the Industrial Development Authority of Russell County in 1979; over the course of his 36-year tenure with the organization, he served as vice chair and chair and worked on numerous important projects; and
WHEREAS, Harry Rutherford worked to attract national corporations, such as AT&T Wireless, Wal-Mart, and Northrop Grumman, to Russell County, as well as develop local infrastructure, such as a new E911 Call Center, broadband Internet, and new county offices in the Russell County Government Center; and
WHEREAS, Harry Rutherford began a career in advertising in 1982 and established his own firm, Spitball, Inc.; he was later named the 2016–2017 Marketing Ambassador of the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority; and
WHEREAS, Harry Rutherford also worked to improve the community as president of Peoples Bank, Inc., in Honaker and the Honaker Lions Club, which named him Lion of the Year in 1990 and 2015; he had been active with the Honaker Redbud Festival Committee since 1981 and was a dedicated member of the Honaker High School Band Boosters, as well as a longtime Freemason; and
WHEREAS, a man of deep and abiding faith, Harry Rutherford was a charter member of Fellowship Baptist Church, where he served as treasurer; and
WHEREAS, predeceased by one daughter, Michelle, Harry Rutherford will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his loving wife of 50 years, Yvonne; daughter, Marla, and her family; and numerous other family members, friends, and community members; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Harry Taft Rutherford, Jr., a pillar of the Russell County community; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Harry Taft Rutherford, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.
