WHEREAS, David P. Helms, who touched countless lives through his generosity and commitment to service as a retired educator, an active community leader, and the mayor of Marion, died on March 21, 2024; and

WHEREAS, David Helms grew up in Washington County and attended Glade Spring High School; he subsequently earned a bachelor's degree from Emory & Henry College and a master's degree from Radford University, then conducted additional studies at the University of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, David Helms began his career in education at Meadowview Elementary School, then taught at Glade Spring Elementary School and Marion Intermediate School until he became the assistant principal of Marion Primary School; he was promoted to principal in 1973 and served in that capacity until his retirement in 2000; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his work as an educator and school administrator, David Helms ran for and was elected to the Glade Spring Town Council from 1968 to 1970 and the Marion Town Council from 1990 to 2000; he provided his wise and insightful leadership to the Marion community as mayor from 2000 to the time of his passing; and

WHEREAS, over the course of his career, David Helms made numerous contributions to the revitalization of Downtown Marion, and he helped his alma mater develop a new location in the town, the Emory & Henry College Health Sciences Campus; and

WHEREAS, David Helms further represented the Marion community as a member of the executive committee and past president of the Virginia Municipal League and an original board member of the Mount Rogers Planning District Commission; and

WHEREAS, a proud patriot, David Helms was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4667, Rolling Thunder, and other veterans organizations; he also volunteered for Memorial Day events and with the Salvation Army; and

WHEREAS, among many awards and accolades, David Helms was named as an Outstanding Educator by VFW Post 4667 in 1999 and was honored as the Citizen of the Year by the Rotary Club of Marion in 2005; and

WHEREAS, David Helms will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Sue, and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of David P. Helms, a former educator, devoted public servant, and pillar of the Marion community; 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 David P. Helms as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.