WHEREAS, John Manley Garber, a civic leader and entrepreneur who played a pivotal role in bringing electricity to rural Prince William County, died on September 13, 2020; and

WHEREAS, a native of Augusta County, Manley Garber relocated to Prince William County at a young age and worked full time on his family's farm after graduating high school; he later established multiple businesses of his own, including a waste management company, a mobile-home park, a camper and trailer dealership, and a commercial real estate enterprise; and

WHEREAS, when an investor-owned electric utility company refused to provide service to any home or business not located on a main road, Manley Garber took electric service from the fledgling Prince William Electric Cooperative; and

WHEREAS, Manley Garber was elected to the Prince William Electric Cooperative Board of Directors at the age of 25 in 1950 and served as secretary of the board until his election as chairman in 1974; and

WHEREAS, after the Prince William Electric Cooperative merged with the Tri-County Electric Cooperative in 1983, Manley Garber was elected as chairman of the newly formed Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC), a position he held until 2008; and

WHEREAS, Manley Garber remained on the NOVEC Board of Directors and subsequently became the longest-serving board member of any electric cooperative in the United States; he was named Director Emeritus upon his well-earned retirement from the board after more than 68 years; and

WHEREAS, at the regional level, Manley Garber served on the board of the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives for five decades, including two terms as chairman; and

WHEREAS, over the course of his long career, Manley Garber earned a reputation for generosity and integrity, touching countless lives throughout the region; and

WHEREAS, among many awards and accolades, Manley Garber proudly accepted the 2018 Charles J. Colgan Visionary Award from the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, a fitting tribute to his extraordinary civic leadership and advocacy for the residents of Northern Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Manley Garber was a life trustee of Bridgewater College and also offered his wisdom and business acumen to the boards of Prince William Hospital, First Manassas Bank, and Commonwealth Savings and Loan Association; and

WHEREAS, Manley Garber was a founding member of Woodbridge Church of the Brethren, where he enjoyed fellowship and worship with the community for many years; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by his first wife, Jeannette, Manley Garber will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 22 years, Kay; his children, Neil, Gerri, Danny, and John, and their families; his stepsons, Young, Richard, and Jay, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of John Manley Garber, highly admired civic and business leader in Prince William County; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of John Manley Garber as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for his memory.