HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 193 Offered January 18, 2006 Celebrating the life of John Ellsworth Gordon, Sr. ---------- Patron-- Hargrove ----------

WHEREAS, John Ellsworth Gordon, Sr., of Glen Allen, a devoted husband and father and a respected citizen, died on December 28, 2004; and

WHEREAS, John Gordon was the devoted husband of Violet Palmore Gordon for more than 56 years; and

WHEREAS, John Gordon was the loving father of nine children, grandfather of 21 children, and great-grandfather of 12 children; and

WHEREAS, John Gordon proudly served his country in World War II as a petty officer in the United States Navy; and

WHEREAS, a lifelong learner, John Gordon returned to the classroom at age 62 and earned a GED diploma and received a bachelor's degree in religious education from the Virginia College and Seminary on May 28, 1994; and

WHEREAS, John Gordon was a lifetime member and an associate pastor of Abner Baptist Church, which was founded by his great-grandfather, the Reverend John Clarke; and

WHEREAS, John Gordon will be fondly remembered as a respected leader in his church and an admired and dedicated citizen in his community and will be missed by his family, his numerous friends, and the congregation of Abner Baptist Church; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the passing of an outstanding Virginian, John Ellsworth Gordon, Sr.; 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 John Ellsworth Gordon, Sr., as an expression of the respect in which his memory is held by the members of the General Assembly.