SR 154 — Celebrating the life of James Lawrence Eason.

SESSION INTRODUCEDENROLLED 23107081D I SENATE RESOLUTION NO.

154 E N Offered February 20, 2023 Celebrating the life of James Lawrence Ea––––––––––Eason. T Patrons––Locke and Mason R –––––––––– WHEREAS, James Lawrence Eason, an esteemed leader of the Hampton community who served as O the city's mayor for 16 years as well as in various other capacities for the benefit of the citD and its residents, died on February 14, 2023;

andAgreed WHEREAS,to Jamesby "Jimmy"the EasonSenate, wasFebruary a22, star2023 ofR theO footballWHEREAS, teamJames atLawrence HamptonEason, Highan School,esteemed earningUleader University of Norththe Carolina,Hampton wherecommunity hewho receivedserved aas bachelor'sL degreeresidents, indied accountingon inFebruary 1965;14, 2023;

andin various other capacities for the benefit of the city and Cits WHEREAS, James "Jimmy" Eason was a star of the football team at Hampton High School, earning L first team all-state and honorable mention all-American honors before going on to play for the E UniWHEREAS, Jimmy Eason returned to Hampton after college and joined the local accounting firm Efof D Daniels, Turnbull & Freeman, where he rose through the ranks to become manager of the Hampton office before leaving to start his own firm, Eason, Lawson & Westphal, which would grow into the largest Hampton-based accounting firm by the time of his retirement from the industry in 1992;

and WHEREAS, Jimmy Eason was elected mayor of Hampton in 1982 and proudly served his constituents until 1998, during which time he transformed the city through various development projects andWHEREAS, after stepping down from his position as mayor, Jimmy Eason served as president and chiefrevitalization executiveefforts; officer of the Hampton Roads Partnership from 1998 to 2004, helping to unify the localities of Hampton Roads so that the region could better compete both nationally and globally;

and WHEREAS, fromafter 2004stepping untildown from his secondposition retirementas inmayor, 2012, Jimmy Eason wasserved theas directorpresident ofand S economicchief developmentexecutive forofficer of the CityHampton ofRoads Hampton,Partnership employingfrom his1998 deepto knowledge2004, andhelping understandingto of1unify the 1 locWHEREAS, from 2004 until his hometownsecond toretirement improvein the2012, qualityJimmy ofEason lifewas ofthe itsdirector residents;ofobally;

and 4E WHEREAS,economic beyonddevelopment hisfor publicthe service,City Jimmyof EasonHampton, gaveemploying generously of his timedeep inknowledge supportand understanding of theR Hamptonhis Rotaryhometown Club,to ofimprove whichthe hequality hadof beenlife aof memberits sinceresidents; 1973;

and WHEREAS, beyond his public service, Jimmy Eason gave generously of his time in support of the Hampton Rotary Club, of which he had been a member since 1973;

and WHEREAS, guided throughout his life by his faith, Jimmy Eason enjoyed worship and fellowship with his community at First United Methodist Church of Hampton for many years;

andandnd fellowship WHEREAS, Jimmy Eason will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his loving wife of 57 35years, membersMidge; and friends;

now,his therefore,children, beNancy iterine,and Katherine, and their families;

and numerous other family 36memRESOLVED, RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of James Lawrence / 37 Eason, a pillar of the Hampton community whose commitment to serving others touched countless lives;

/ 38 and, be it 39 RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of James Lawrence Eason as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for his memory.

the family of James Lawrence Eason as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect