HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 40

(By Delegates Marcum, R. Phillips, H. White, Faircloth,

                  Reynolds, Rodighiero, J. Nelson, Moore, Eldridge, R. Smith and Ireland)

Requesting the Division of Highways to name the Bridge No. 30A081 crossing County Route 52/26 and a creek on Musick Bottom Road in Mingo County, the "Ronald 'Duke' Varney Memorial Bridge".

            Whereas, Ronald J. Varney "Duke" was born on April 15, 1950. He spent his childhood in Varney, West Virginia where he attended Red Jacket High School. At the age of seventeen he voluntarily enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he defended his country as a corporal in the Vietnam War. In May of 1972, he married Penny White, of Lenore, West Virginia, and they had three children, Kimberly, Kelly and Michael Varney. He also had seven grandchildren, Amber Rasnake, Ronnisue Justice, McKenzie Goff, Tori Varney, Kylee Varney, Waylon Parker Varney, Kelsey Stogsdill, and one great-grandson, Noah Michael Rasnake. He passed away in February, 2004, from cancer as a result of Agent Orange. He was a very loving and dedicated father who worked hard for his family. He was a retired coal miner who lived in Mingo County for fifty- four years. Duke was a friend to so many people and never failed to help anyone in need. He is sadly missed and sweetly remembered by all who had the pleasure of knowing him; and

            Whereas, Naming the Bridge No. 30A081 crossing County Route 52/26 and a creek on Musick Bottom Road in Mingo County, the "Ronald 'Duke' Varney Memorial Bridge" is an appropriate recognition of his contributions to his country, state, community and Mingo County; therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

            That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name the Bridge No. 30A081 crossing County Route 52/26 and a creek on Musick Bottom Road in Mingo County, the "Ronald 'Duke' Varney Memorial Bridge"; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the Bridge No. 30A081 crossing County Route 52/26 and a creek on Musick Bottom Road in Mingo County, the "Ronald 'Duke' Varney Memorial Bridge"; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and the surviving wife and children of Ronald 'Duke' Varney and their families.