HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 395 Offered February 27, 2006 Celebrating the life of Jack Wilson Fretwell, Sr. ---------- Patron-- Sherwood ----------

WHEREAS, Jack Wilson Fretwell, Sr., of Winchester, entertainer, businessman, and respected community volunteer, died on February 18, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Jack Fretwell was born January 18, 1915, was a 1934 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School in his hometown of Staunton, and married his beloved wife Margaret Shank on September 4, 1938; and

WHEREAS, Jack Fretwell served his country in the United States Army in the South Pacific during World War II; and

WHEREAS, Jack Fretwell led a dance orchestra for 12 years and during her early career, Patsy Cline sang with the band; he made several television appearances in Washington, D.C., with the music star, along with his musical wooden horse; it was during these shows that the comedy act "Smilin' Jack and his Musical Horse Nellie" originated; and

WHEREAS, as the manager of Staunton's Visulite Theatre in 1942, Jack Fretwell organized the Lions Club Vaudeville Show to sell War Bonds; he won state awards for selling $250,000 in War Bonds for three consecutive years; and

WHEREAS, an avid community supporter, Jack Fretwell was a member of the Lions Club for more than 61 years and received its highest honor, the Melvin Jones Fellow award, and for more than 50 years, he diligently worked in preparation for the annual Apple Blossom Festival; and

WHEREAS, committed to community service, Jack Fretwell was an active member of the Elks Club, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Eagles Club, and the Moose Club and was a regular participant with the Hospital Follies; and

WHEREAS, a longtime member of Alcoholics Anonymous, Jack Fretwell was a founder of Starting Point Detox, Lord Fairfax Halfway House, and the New Life Edgehill Recovery Retreat; and

WHEREAS, Jack Fretwell pitched fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball for 34 years, winning two city championships, and was an avid golfer credited with four holes-in-one; and

WHEREAS, since 1946 Jack Fretwell was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church in Winchester, where he taught Sunday school for high school students, sang in the church choir, served as a deacon, and was a member of the E.T. Clark men’s Sunday school class; and

WHEREAS, Jack Fretwell will be fondly remembered for his faithful telephone calls singing "Happy Birthday" to each member of First Baptist Church, the Lions Club, as well as friends and will be missed by his loving family and many admirers; 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 a fine Virginian, Jack Wilson Fretwell, 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 Jack Wilson Fretwell, Sr., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.