SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 39 Celebrating the life of Byron Adna Hicks.   Agreed to by the Senate, January 17, 2008 Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 25, 2008  

WHEREAS, Byron Adna Hicks of Roanoke, a respected community leader and exemplary bank executive, died on November 14, 2007, at the age of 91; and

WHEREAS, Byron Hicks, son of the late Wesley Peters and Sallie Holland Hicks, was a lifelong learner, attending Roanoke College and a proud graduate of the University of Virginia Class of 1938, later graduating from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University; and

WHEREAS, a veteran of World War II, Byron Hicks followed his education with an illustrious career as a lieutenant with the United States Navy, serving as a communications officer; and

WHEREAS, following his military service, Byron Hicks returned to Roanoke and began a long and distinguished banking career at First National Exchange Bank, serving as a financial leader in his nearly 40 years with the company, rising through the ranks to ultimately serve as president of First National Exchange Bank and Dominion Bankshares Corporation and chairman and chief executive officer of both institutions in 1977; and

WHEREAS, Byron Hicks was considered by his colleagues and customers as “full measure the absolute gentleman, unfailingly polite and soft spoken, with an easy laugh and the kind of gracious attentiveness that grants importance to those in his company,” and whose life was greatly influenced by the caring, hard work, and values of his parents; and

WHEREAS, committed to improving the quality of life of his fellow citizens, Byron Hicks gave his time and many talents to numerous civic organizations, including the Virginia Baptist Children’s Home, Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges, Blue Ridge Council of Boy Scouts of America, Nelson-Roanoke Corporation, Community Hospital of Roanoke Valley, Roanoke Symphony Society, Roanoke Valley Regional Health Planning Council, and Roanoke College, from which he received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree and the College Medal; and

WHEREAS, Byron Hicks also served as co-chairman of the local chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews and was a member of the Thomas Jefferson Society of Alumni at the University of Virginia, the Shenandoah Club, and the Roanoke Country Club; and

WHEREAS, a faithful member of Virginia Heights Baptist Church, Byron Hicks was a Sunday School teacher and deacon for the church and served on numerous committees; and

WHEREAS, Byron Hicks will be fondly remembered for his kind and generous nature, particularly by his devoted daughters, Holly Hicks Stover and her husband Richard and Celie Hicks Gehring and her husband Don and their families, especially his beloved grandchildren; his brother, Thomas Winston Hicks, and sisters, Eleanor Hicks Whorley and Janet Hicks Carter; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a fine community leader and outstanding Virginian, Byron Adna Hicks; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Byron Adna Hicks, as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 39 Offered January 9, 2008 Prefiled January 7, 2008 Celebrating the life of Byron Adna Hicks. ---------- Patron-- Edwards ----------

WHEREAS, Byron Adna Hicks of Roanoke, a respected community leader and exemplary bank executive, died on November 14, 2007, at the age of 91; and

WHEREAS, Byron Hicks, son of the late Wesley Peters and Sallie Holland Hicks, was a lifelong learner, attending Roanoke College and a proud graduate of the University of Virginia Class of 1938, later graduating from the Stonier Graduate School of Business at Rutgers University; and

WHEREAS, a veteran of World War II, Byron Hicks followed his education with an illustrious career as a lieutenant with the United State Navy, serving as a communications officer; and

WHEREAS, following his military service, Byron Hicks returned to Roanoke and began a long and distinguished banking career at First National Exchange Bank, serving as a financial leader in his nearly 40 years with the company, rising through the ranks to ultimately serve as president of First National Exchange Bank and Dominion Bankshares Corporation and elected to the office of chairman and chief executive officer of both institutions in 1977; and

WHEREAS, Byron Hicks was considered by his colleagues and customers as “full measure the absolute gentleman, unfailingly polite and soft spoken, with an easy laugh and the kind of gracious attentiveness that grants importance to those in his company,” and whose life was greatly influenced by the caring, hard work, and values of his parents; and

WHEREAS, committed to improving the quality of life of his fellow citizens, Byron Hicks gave his time and many talents to numerous civic organizations, including the Virginia Baptist Children’s Home, Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges, Blue Ridge Council of Boy Scouts of America, Nelson-Roanoke Corporation, Community Hospital of Roanoke Valley, Roanoke Symphony Society, Roanoke Valley Regional Health Planning Council, and Roanoke College, from which he received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree and the College Medal; and

WHEREAS, Byron Hicks also served as co-chairman of the local chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews and was a member of the Thomas Jefferson Society of Alumni at the University of Virginia, the Shenandoah Club, and the Roanoke Country Club; and

WHEREAS, a faithful member of Virginia Heights Baptist Church, Bryon Hicks was a Sunday School teacher and deacon for the church and served on numerous committees; and

WHEREAS, Byron Hicks will be fondly remembered for his kind and generous nature, particularly by his devoted daughters, Holly Hicks Stover and her husband Richard and Celie Hicks Gehring and her husband Don and their families, especially his beloved grandchildren; his brother, Thomas Winston Hicks, and sisters, Eleanor Hicks Whorley and Janet Hicks Carter; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a fine community leader and outstanding Virginian, Byron Adna Hicks; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Byron Adna Hicks, as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.