HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 894 Offered February 12, 2007 Celebrating the life of James A. Slade. ---------- Patrons-- Marshall, D.W. and Hurt; Senator: Hawkins ----------

WHEREAS, James A. Slade, a respected citizen and outstanding educator for the Danville Public Schools for over 40 years, died on January 16, 2007; and

WHEREAS, a native of Washington, D.C., James Slade was born on August 25, 1916, the son of Joseph and Alice Schrader Slade; and

WHEREAS, James Slade graduated from Westmoreland High School in Danville, and his basketball skills earned him an athletic scholarship to what is now Virginia State University in Petersburg; and

WHEREAS, after graduating in 1940, James Slade began his teaching career at John M. Langston High School of the Danville Public Schools, teaching science and history; and

WHEREAS, a gifted athlete with a talent for coaching, James Slade became head basketball coach at Langston High School in 1942 and also organized the school's first football team; and

WHEREAS, in 1945, James Slade married his first wife, the late Lelia McLaughlin, and the couple had a daughter, Rita, and a son, James; and

WHEREAS, from 1952 to 1970, James Slade served as principal of Westmoreland Elementary and Middle School and was appointed assistant principal of George Washington High School in 1970, a position he held with distinction until his retirement in 1983; and

WHEREAS, after 41 years of dedicated service in the Danville Public Schools, James Slade was appointed to the Danville Redevelopment and Housing Authority (DRHA), where he served as chairman for 12 years; the DRHA named the Slade Building at the Seeland Crossing Community Center in his honor for his many contributions; and

WHEREAS, a compassionate mentor and role model for young people, James Slade was invaluable in the establishment of the Boys and Girls Clubs in Danville; and

WHEREAS, a beloved community benefactor, James Slade was active in numerous civic and social organizations in Danville, including as a founder of the Tee Golf facility and the Blanks Club; as a member of the Omega Fraternity, the Ringgold Golf Club, and the Senior Golfers of Virginia; and as an inductee in the Danville Register & Bee Sports Hall of Fame for his outstanding service to the community; and

WHEREAS, James Slade was a faithful member of the Calvary Baptist Church and was a volunteer in the church's many missions in the community; and

WHEREAS, James Slade will be greatly missed by his children and his beloved wife, Clarice Bailey Hundley, whom he married in 1973; his six wonderful grandchildren; and numerous other loving family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a fine educator and outstanding Virginian, James A. Slade; 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 A. Slade as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.