Bill Text: VA SJR194 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of John Randolph Francis, Jr.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-03-07 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ194ER) [SJR194 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-SJR194-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, John Randolph Francis, Jr., an esteemed banker and an active and beloved member of the Roanoke community, died on February 3, 2024; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, John Francis worked his way through college and earned a bachelor's degree in business and economics from Radford University in 1976; and
WHEREAS, John Francis embarked upon his long and distinguished career in commercial banking with the Bank of Virginia in Roanoke and subsequently joined First National Exchange Bank, which later became First Union Bank, serving as president of its Western Virginia region; and
WHEREAS, John Francis joined First Citizens Bank in 1993, and after demonstrating exceptional banking prowess and leadership qualities during a brief stint in Greensboro, North Carolina, he returned to Roanoke as the bank's executive vice president; and
WHEREAS, through his dedication and professionalism, John Francis advanced to become regional executive vice president of the Mid-Atlantic region for First Citizens Bank, overseeing the bank's activities in the Commonwealth, West Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia; he ultimately retired from banking in 2017 after working tirelessly in support of his clients and their financial well-being for 41 years; and
WHEREAS, John Francis contributed greatly to cultural, economic, and civic endeavors in the Roanoke Valley through his involvement with a number of organizations, including the board of The Virginia Bankers Association, the Roanoke Valley Greenway Commission, the Greater Roanoke Development Foundation, The Good Samaritan Hospice, the Shenandoah Club, and the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, which he served as chair in 2012; and
WHEREAS, John Francis was deeply devoted to promoting literacy and education initiatives in his community through his service on the board of the Roanoke Public Library Foundation and as a member and the chair of the Local Advisory Board of Virginia Western Community College; and
WHEREAS, John Francis will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his loving wife of 47 years, Rosemary; his son, Neil, and his family; and numerous other family members and friends; 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 John Randolph Francis, Jr., a cherished member of the Roanoke community whose leadership and service touched countless lives; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of John Randolph Francis, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.
