WHEREAS, Claude A. Graybeal, who faithfully served his fellow residents for 43 years as a member of the Washington County Life Saving Crew in Abingdon, died on March 3, 2013; and

WHEREAS, in July 1969, Claude Graybeal joined the Washington County Life Saving Crew, serving as captain from 1981 to 1986 and in every line officer position; he also served as a member of the board of directors and was awarded life membership; and

WHEREAS, Claude Graybeal maintained his certification as an Emergency Medical Technician and as an EVOC Instructor and was involved with designing manuals, bylaws, and logos for vehicles for the squad; and

WHEREAS, Claude Graybeal served District 9 of the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads as vice president and a member of the executive committee for 10 years; he also served as a district secretary and training officer and was a life member; and

WHEREAS, for 37 years, Claude Graybeal served as the Washington County Life Saving Crew board of governors representative to the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, Claude Graybeal always made every effort to attend the annual conferences of the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads, Inc., whether they were in Roanoke, Richmond, or Virginia Beach; in September 2011, he was awarded the prestigious status of life member of the organization; and

WHEREAS, Claude Graybeal faithfully served the Commonwealth when he was appointed by Governor Charles S. Robb to the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council; and

WHEREAS, Claude Graybeal was always ready to lend a hand to members of the community, the life saving crew family, and his family—if he was asked if a task had been done, he would only smile, knowing that it had been; and

WHEREAS, Claude Graybeal's dedication to emergency medical services and to the members of the Washington County Life Saving Crew that he mentored never faltered; he was instrumental in the promotion and growth of the organization in the community; and

WHEREAS, Claude Graybeal retired from Sperry-Univac after 23 years and also was a truck driver for Abingdon Steel for 18 years; and

WHEREAS, a true Virginia gentleman who touched the lives of numerous individuals through the volunteer life saving crew, Claude Graybeal will be greatly missed by his wife of 49 years, Pat; his children, Lisa and James; grandson, Jacob; numerous other family members and friends; and the residents of Abingdon; 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 a distinguished member of the Abingdon community, Claude A. Graybeal; 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 Claude A. Graybeal as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.