Bill Text: WV HCR13 | 2026 | Regular Session | Introduced

West Virginia House Concurrent Resolution 13

Introduced

Bill Title: Honoring the life of Tony Whitlow

Sponsorship: Strong Partisan Bill (Republican 10-1)

Status: (Passed) 2026-03-10 - House received Senate message [HCR13 Detail]

Download: West_Virginia-2026-HCR13-Introduced.html

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 13

(By Delegates Gearhart, Ellington, Cooper, Canterbury, Anderson, Campbell, Ridenour, Butler, Hillenbrand, Hornbuckle, and Maynor)

[Introduced January 22, 2026; Referred to the committee on Rules ]

Commemorating the life and the passing of Senator Tony Eugene Whitlow, gentleman, devoted and loyal public servant and statesman.

Whereas, Tony Eugene Whitlow was born on May 9, 1933 in Kellysville, West Virginia to Noah Curtis and Florence Elizabeth Bailey Whitlow; and

Whereas, Tony Eugene Whitlow graduated from Oakvale High School in 1951; He was drafted into the Army in 1953, served in the Korean War, and was honorably discharged in 1955; and

Whereas, Upon returning home, Tony Eugene Whitlow attended West Virginia Business College on the G.I. Bill, majoring in Junior Accounting. He worked various jobs through the years, including the railroad and North American Aviation/Rockwell International, among others; and

Whereas, Senator Tony Eugene Whitlow was married to his wife of 70 years, Rebecca Jane Blankenship Whitlow and they had a daughter, Valerie Terry of Elgood, and a son, Curtis; and

Whereas, The public service of Senator Tony Eugerne Whitlow began with his election to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1970; He was reelected in 1972, 1976, 1980 and 1982; and

Whereas, The Honorable Tony E. Whitlow was elected to the West Virginia Senate from the tenth senatorial district in 1984 and reelected in 1988 and 1992; and

Whereas, During his tenure in the Senate, Senator Tony E. Whitlow served with dedication and distinction as chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee and as vice chairman of the Senate Natural Resources Committee;. He also served as President pro Tempore of the Senate during the sixty-eighth and sixty-ninth Legislatures; and

Whereas, The dedication, wisdom and legislative expertise of Senator Tony Eugene Whitlow is evidenced by a myriad of worthwhile enactments, conceived and executed by him for the betterment of the citizens of the State of West Virginia; and

Whereas, Tony did so many things in life with the one goal of making things better for others. Every accomplishment he achieved was driven by a genuine desire to better the lives of others, specifically Mercer County and West Virginia as a whole - from his many political accomplishments during his time in Charleston, to awarding citizens money through his work as a local government official in unclaimed properties, his founding of the Those Who Served War Museum which will continue in his legacy to honor veterans; and

Whereas, Although Senator Tony Eugene Whitlow received many accolades throughout his life, he was most proud of was his family; he would tell stories about his family; he also lit up every room he entered; and

Whereas, Senator Tony Eugene Whitlow was also a lifelong member of the church - both Kellysville Church of God and Lifeline - faithfully participating in the Whitlow Trio, where he brought praise, joy, and encouragement to many for over 60 years. He was also Sunday School Superintendent for many years at the Kellysville Church of God; and

Whereas, Senator Tony Eugene Whitlow is survived by his loving wife, Rebecca Jane Blankenship Whitlow; daughter Valerie and husband Gerald Terry of Elgood, and son Curtis and wife Tonya Whitlow of Elgood; granddaughter Rebecca and husband Chris Bivens of Princeton, granddaughter Cara and husband Zach Lambert of Cheesy Creek, granddaughter Anna and husband Lee Hill of Elgood, and grandson Noah Whitlow of Elgood; great-grandchildren Elaina Bivens, Kash Delp, Granger Hill, Boone Lambert, and Oaklynn Whitlow; and one sister-in-law Betty Dent Whitlow of Bozoo; and

Whereas, The life and legacy of Senator Tony Eugene Whitlow should be noted and celebrated and his accomplishments and contributions to his community and state should be properly recognized; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the West Virginia Legislature hereby commemorates the life and passing of Senator Tony Eugene Whitlow, gentleman, devoted and loyal public servant and statesman; and, be it

Further Resolved, that the Clerk of the House send a copy of this resolution to his wife, Rebecca Jane Blankenship Whitlow; his daughter, Valerie and his son Curtis.