HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 14

(By Delegates Frazier, Gearheart and Ellington)

Requesting the Princeton-Athens Road in Mercer County, West Virginia, beginning at the intersection of Route 20 and Route 104 in the City of Princeton (known as “the Athens Crossroads”) then proceeding North on Route 20 to the town limits of Athens and continuing with Route 20 and South State Street and ending at the intersection with Vermillion Street in Athens, be named the “Senator Don Caruth Memorial Road.”

    Whereas, The Honorable Donald T. Caruth was born May 23, 1950 in Princeton, West Virginia, the son of the late William B. Caruth, Sr. and Elizabeth Shipe Caruth. He was a graduate of Athens High School, received his B. A. Degree from Concord College (now University) in Athens and earned his J. D. Degree from West Virginia University College of Law. He was a member of the West Virginia State Bar, Mercer County Bar Association, former Executive Director, West Virginia Career College, West Virginia Industrial Council, former Adjunct Professor Concord College and Bluefield State College and former Regional Supervisor, Veteran’s Education and Training, West Virginia Department of Education; and

    Whereas, Donald T. Caruth died on May 1, 2010, at his home in Athens, Mercer County, West Virginia. He was survived by his wife, Laura Ann Cochran Caruth, five daughters: Maria, Andrea, Christie, Allison and Madison; and three siblings: Nancy Van Deusen and husband, Donald, Linda Lockwood and husband Don, and Jim D. Caruth and wife, Wanda; and

    Whereas, Donald T. Caruth began his political career in 2002 when he was elected to the House of Delegates. He was elected to the State Senate in 2004 and again in 2008. He served as the Senate Minority Leader for the 78^th Legislature. He was active in his community serving as Athens Town Council Attorney and Treasurer; he was a member of the New River Parkway Authority, Board of Directors, Athens Volunteer Fire Department and Athens Medical Center, Children’s Home Society of West Virginia and West Virginia Business and Industry Council 2008 Legislator of the Year. On March 13, 2010, Governor Manchin presented him with the Distinguished West Virginian Award. He was an active member of the Concord United Methodist Church in Athens and served as Chairman of the Church Council and other committees of the church. He was a partner in the law firm of Brewster, Morhous, Cameron, Caruth, Moore, Kersey & Stafford, PLLC of Bluefield. Donald T. Caruth was a committed and respected public servant and worked tirelessly on many issues for the benefit of the citizens of Athens and Mercer County. He was a beloved husband, father, brother and friend who died in the service to his community, county and state and will be missed by all who knew him; and

    Whereas, The life of Donald T. Caruth shall be recognized and honored; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Division of Highways is hereby requested that the Princeton-Athens Road in Mercer County, West Virginia, beginning at the intersection of Route 20 and Route 104 in the City of Princeton (known as “The Athens Crossroads”) then proceeding North on Route 20 to the town limits of Athens and continuing with Route 20 and South State Street and ending at the intersection with Vermillion Street in Athens, be named the “Senator Don Caruth Memorial Road”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to cause to be fabricated signs to be erected at each entryway of the road, containing bold and prominent letters proclaiming the road to be named the “Senator Don Caruth Memorial Road”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways and the surviving family of Senator Donald T. Caruth.