2025 SESSION

ENROLLED

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 650

Celebrating the life of Clayton Tune Lester.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 17, 2025

Agreed to by the Senate, February 19, 2025

WHEREAS, Clayton Tune Lester, an honorable veteran, esteemed banker and realtor, life member of the Danville Life Saving Crew, and beloved member of the Danville community, died on January 18, 2025; and

WHEREAS, born in Pittsylvania County, Clayton Lester graduated from Spring Garden High School in 1954 and from what was then the Danville Technical Institute a year later; he would also later earn an associate degree in banking and financial management from Danville Community College in 1978; and

WHEREAS, from 1956 to 1959, Clayton Lester served his country with honor and distinction as a member of the United States Army Security Agency, the United States Army's signals intelligence branch at the time; and

WHEREAS, following his service, Clayton Lester worked for the Security Bank and Trust Company until 1982, then was vice president of Peoples Bank until his retirement from the banking industry in 1988; subsequently, he found success as a real estate salesman with Wilkins and Company Realtors; and

WHEREAS, Clayton Lester joined the Danville Life Saving Crew in 1962 and guided the organization in various leadership capacities over the next 63 years, including as captain, first lieutenant, second lieutenant, treasurer, business manager, and member of the board of directors; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the Danville Life Saving Crew, Clayton Lester was declared a life member of the organization and the organization's building was named the Clayton T. Lester Crew Hall in his honor; and

WHEREAS, Clayton Lester promoted safety in the Commonwealth through his involvement with the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads (VAVRS), which he served as president, vice president, and treasurer and where he was presented with life membership and an induction into the VAVRS Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, guided throughout his life by his faith, Clayton Lester enjoyed worship and fellowship with his community at Woodlawn Baptist Church in Danville for many years; and

WHEREAS, preceded in death by his first wife, Adelaide, Clayton Lester will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his wife, Polly; his children, Rickie, Pamela, Mark, and Lisa, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Clayton Tune Lester, a pillar of the Danville Life Saving Crew whose leadership, dedication, and service inspired all who knew him; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Clayton Tune Lester as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.