Bill Text: VA SJR212 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Harold A. Deane, Sr.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2024-03-07 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ212ER) [SJR212 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-SJR212-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Harold A. Deane, Sr., an honorable veteran, esteemed basketball coach at Virginia State University, and beloved member of the Roanoke and Petersburg communities, died on February 3, 2024; and
WHEREAS, Harold Deane graduated at the age of 16 from the historic Lucy Addison High School in Roanoke in 1956 and went on to pursue a degree at what was then Virginia State College, where he excelled in both basketball and track and field and earned a bachelor's degree in health, physical education, and recreation in 1961; and
WHEREAS, Harold Deane turned down offers to play professional basketball to accept a United States Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps commission, serving his country with honor and distinction as a first lieutenant in the United States Army Medical Service Corps at Fort Benning in Georgia; and
WHEREAS, during two years of active duty, Harold Deane received a letter of commendation for displaying outstanding leadership during Exercise Swift Strike III and was captain of the Third United States Army basketball team; and
WHEREAS, Harold Deane served as an instructor, assistant track and field coach, and junior varsity basketball coach at Howard University and earned a master's degree in education from the institution; and
WHEREAS, Harold Deane was head coach of the basketball team at Cardozo High School in Washington, D.C., from 1965-1969, leading the squad to an impressive 69-12 record; and
WHEREAS, Harold Deane went on to become head basketball coach and an assistant professor at Virginia State University, where he led the men's basketball team to a championship at Fort Eustis in 1972, a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics District 29 tournament win in 1974, and a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championship in 1988; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of his accomplishments as a coach, Harold Deane received Virginia College Athletic Association coach of the year honors and was named CIAA Coach of the Year in 1972, 1974, 1976, and 1988; he was also inducted into the CIAA Hall of Fame in 2014 and honored as a Living Legend by Virginia State University in 2023; and
WHEREAS, guided throughout his life by his faith, Harold Deane was baptized at First Baptist Church in Gainsboro at an early age and later enjoyed worship and fellowship with his community at Zion Baptist Church in Petersburg; and
WHEREAS, Harold Deane will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his devoted and loving wife, Thelma; his children, Benita and Harold Deane, Jr., and their families; 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 Harold A. Deane, Sr., a cherished member of the Roanoke and Petersburg communities who was a source of joy and inspiration to all who knew him; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Harold A. Deane, Sr., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.
