SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 28

(By Senators Kirkendoll, Unger, Plymale and Stollings)

[Introduced February 8, 2016]

Requesting Division of Highways name bridge number 30-52/26-0.01 (30A081) (37.65255, -82.06172), locally known as Musick Box Beam, carrying County Route 52/26 over Pigeon Creek on Musick Bottom Road in Mingo County, the “U. S. Marine Corps CPL 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 bridge number 30A081 crossing County Route 52/26  over Pigeon Creek on Musick Bottom Road in Mingo County, the “U. S. Marine Corps CPL 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 bridge number 30-52/26-0.01 (30A081) (37.65255, -82.06172), locally known as Musick Box Beam, carrying County Route 52/26 over Pigeon Creek on Musick Bottom Road in Mingo County, the “U. S. Marine Corps CPL 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 as the “U. S. Marine Corps CPL Ronald ‘Duke’ Varney Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate  is hereby directed forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways and the surviving wife and children of CPL Ronald ‘Duke’ Varney and their families.