2026 SPECIAL SESSION I

ENROLLED

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2010

Celebrating the life of James Bradley Boyd.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, April 23, 2026

WHEREAS, James Bradley Boyd, an honorable veteran, steadfast small business advocate, devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and beloved member of the Richlands community, died on March 15, 2026; and

WHEREAS, born in Raven, James “Jim” Bradley Boyd graduated from Richlands High School in 1950 before earning a bachelor's degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech); he also later earned a master's degree in business administration from Averett University in 1992; and

WHEREAS, after serving with the Virginia Tech Corp of Cadets, Jim Boyd served his country with honor and distinction as a member of the United States Marine Corps from 1956 to 1959, achieving the rank of captain, and he later served for three years as the commander of the Johnson City, Tennessee, Marine reserve unit; and

WHEREAS, Jim Boyd worked at Southwestern Supply before college and later returned to work with the company as a plant manager and vice president of Virginian Metal Products; and

WHEREAS, in 1994, Jim Boyd assumed the position of director of the Small Business Development Center at Southwest Virginia Community College (SVCC) and embarked upon a new phase in his career promoting small businesses and economic growth both at home and abroad, including in Russia and Armenia; and

WHEREAS, Jim Boyd gave generously of his time for the benefit of his community through his involvement with a number of local organizations, including the Clinch Valley Community Action board and the SVCC Foundation, as well as in his capacity as director of what was formerly the Richlands National Bank and as president of the Richlands Area Chamber of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, Jim Boyd's accomplishments in support of economic development and small business garnered him a number of accolades over the years, including Citizen of the Year from the Richlands Area Chamber of Commerce in 1984; and

WHEREAS, guided throughout his life by his faith, Jim Boyd enjoyed worship and fellowship with his community at Gethsemane Baptist Church in Richlands, where in addition to serving as a charter member, deacon, and trustee, he sang in the choir and taught Sunday school; and

WHEREAS, Jim Boyd will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his loving wife of 64 years, Sylvia; his children, James, Jr., and Karen, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of James Bradley Boyd, a revered member of the Richlands community whose legacy of dedication and service will forever inspire 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 James Bradley Boyd as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.