HJ217: Celebrating the life of Charles Wesley Day.


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 217
Celebrating the life of Charles Wesley Day.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 29, 2016
Agreed to by the Senate, February 4, 2016

 

WHEREAS, Charles Wesley Day of Roanoke County, a highly respected educator and coach, a community leader who was a former chair of the City of Roanoke School Board, a proud veteran of the United States military, and a devoted husband and father, died on July 30, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Charles Day was a native of Radford; he attended Christiansburg Institute and earned a bachelor’s degree from Virginia State University and a master’s degree from Radford University and completed advanced studies at the University of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, in 1957, after graduating from college, Charles Day enlisted in the United States Army; as part of his active duty service, he taught math and science at an Army base in Germany to soldiers who were studying for the General Educational Development exam; and

WHEREAS, after completing his tour of duty, Charles Day returned home and began teaching school and coaching at Central High School in Amherst County; two years later, he accepted a position at Friends Elementary School in Montgomery County, closer to where he grew up; and

WHEREAS, Charles Day served for five years as principal of Friends School, which was for African American students; after the school closed when the district was integrated, he taught physical education and coached at Lucy Addison High School in Roanoke for three years before becoming principal of the former Loudon Elementary School for one year; and

WHEREAS, Charles Day then was named principal of Lucy Addison High School, successfully guiding staff and students as the City of Roanoke integrated its schools; his calm demeanor and comfortable approach was greatly appreciated by many people as he worked diligently to ensure that all members of the community felt welcome; and

WHEREAS, in 1973, Charles Day became assistant principal at William Ruffner Middle School when the Lucy Addison school building stopped being used as a high school; after he retired, Charles Day was a member of the board of the Roanoke City Public Schools for 12 years and served as chair for two years; and

WHEREAS, additionally, Charles Day made many valuable contributions in other areas; he was a counselor at Virginia Western Community College and also served as an administrative law test administrator; and

WHEREAS, in 2014, Charles Day was inducted into the Amherst County Sports Hall of Fame for being coach of Central High School’s 1960 - 1961 championship high school basketball team, which won the First District basketball title; and

WHEREAS, Charles Day will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his wife, Hilda; children, Charlene and Charles, and their families; and many other family members, friends, former students, and colleagues; 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 Charles Wesley Day of Roanoke County, an esteemed educator who made many contributions to the community as a talented teacher, coach, and administrator and who was a former chair of the board of the City of Roanoke Public Schools; 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 Charles Wesley Day as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 217

Offered January 27, 2016
Celebrating the life of Charles Wesley Day.

Patrons-- Rasoul, Bagby, Hope, Krizek, Landes and Simon; Senators: Edwards and Wexton

WHEREAS, Charles Wesley Day of Roanoke County, a highly respected educator and coach, a community leader who was a former chair of the City of Roanoke School Board, a proud veteran of the United States military, and a devoted husband and father, died on July 30, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Charles Day was a native of Radford; he attended Christiansburg Institute and earned a bachelor’s degree from Virginia State University and a master’s degree from Radford University, and completed advanced studies at the University of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, in 1957, after graduating from college, Charles Day enlisted in the United States Army; as part of his active duty service he taught math and science at an Army base in Germany to soldiers who were studying for the General Educational Development exam; and

WHEREAS, after completing his tour of duty, Charles Day returned home and began teaching school and coaching at Central High School in Amherst County; two years later, he accepted a position at Friends Elementary School in Montgomery County, closer to where he grew up; and

WHEREAS, Charles Day served for five years as principal of Friends School, which was for African American students; after the school closed when the district was integrated, he taught physical education and coached at Lucy Addison High School in Roanoke for three years before becoming principal of the former Loudon Elementary School for one year; and

WHEREAS, Charles Day then was named principal of Lucy Addison High School, successfully guiding staff and students as the City of Roanoke integrated its schools; his calm demeanor and comfortable approach was greatly appreciated by many people as he worked diligently to ensure that all members of the community felt welcome; and

WHEREAS, in 1973, Charles Day became assistant principal at William Ruffner Middle School when the Lucy Addison school building stopped being used as a high school; after he retired, Charles Day was a member of the board of the Roanoke City Public Schools for 12 years and served as chair for two years; and

WHEREAS, additionally, Charles Day made many valuable contributions in other areas; he was a counselor at Virginia Western Community College and also served as an administrative law test administrator; and

WHEREAS, in 2014, Charles Day was inducted into the Amherst County Sports Hall of Fame for being coach of Central High School’s 1960 - 1961 championship high school basketball team, which won the First District basketball title; and

WHEREAS, Charles Day will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his wife, Hilda; children, Charlene and Charles, and their families; and many other family members, friends, former students, and colleagues; 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 Charles Wesley Day of Roanoke County, an esteemed educator who made many contributions to the community as a talented teacher, coach, and administrator and who was a former chair of the board of the City of Roanoke Public Schools; 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 Charles Wesley Day as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.