Bill Text: VA SR551 | 2021 | 1st Special Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Roy Kenneth Harris.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2021-02-27 - Bill text as passed Senate (SR551ER) [SR551 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2021-SR551-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Roy Kenneth Harris, a talented singer and multi-instrumentalist and a highly admired community leader in Shenandoah County, died on January 27, 2021; and
WHEREAS, Roy Harris grew up in Mount Jackson, where he attended Triplett High School and became a lifelong member of Walkers Chapel Church of the Brethren; and
WHEREAS, Roy Harris served his country as a member of the United States Army during the Korean War; he briefly worked as a fruit and vegetable inspector for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, then began a 22-year career as an engineer and product development manager with Aileen, Inc., in 1961; and
WHEREAS, Roy Harris's true passion was music, and he established and performed with several country and rock and roll acts over the years; and
WHEREAS, Roy Harris began playing guitar and saxophone at the age of 14 and later formed a band, the Kountry Kats, which toured with Patsy Cline; he accompanied several other notable country artists, including Margo Smith and Jimmy Dean; and
WHEREAS, Roy Harris was a founding member of the bands Four Score and the Top Tones, which performed at local events in Shenandoah County, and the Glory Road Singers, which provided entertainment at senior centers, nursing homes, and church functions; and
WHEREAS, from 1976 to 1981, Roy Harris also owned a music store that provided high-quality instruments, sheet music, and accessories to members of the Woodstock community and coordinated music lessons for local young people; and
WHEREAS, Roy Harris was a life member and past president of the Mount Jackson Lions Club, a life member of the Mount Jackson Moose Lodge, a member of the local American Legion, and a founding leader of the Mount Jackson Cub Scouts; and
WHEREAS, for more than 60 years, Roy Harris was a dedicated member of the Shenandoah County Republican Committee; he served as finance chair of the Mount Jackson precinct and represented the community at local and state conventions; and
WHEREAS, predeceased by his daughter, Donna, Roy Harris will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 63 years, Nancy; his son, Marty, and his family; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of Roy Kenneth Harris, an admired musician who made many contributions to the Shenandoah 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 Roy Kenneth Harris as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for his memory.