Virginia loses a good man. Retired State Del. Vic Thomas died

[electricmonk]

A. Victor Thomas, an influential state legislator who fought to protect natural resources and the interests of the poor and disabled, died early Wednesday at his Roanoke home. He was 76.

Thomas represented parts of Roanoke and Roanoke County in the House of Delegates for 30 years and held important committee assignments during an era when Democrats controlled the General Assembly. Before retiring from the legislature in 2003, the plain-spoken Roanoke native earned a reputation as a guardian of land conservation and hunting and fishing rights and a tireless advocate for programs to help the poor, the mentally ill and the mentally retarded.

A statesman dies

On a personal note. He was a friend of my Dad's and I grew up with one of his sons that's the same age as me. Back in the late '60's my Dad was the Sixth District Chairman of the Young Democratic Clubs of Va and Vic was active in the Roanoke City chapter. I still have memories of being a little kid and Dad dragging me to the Elks Club to get a haircut and listening to all the local Democratic Party bigshots talking over their card or pool games. Anyway, Mr Thomas was a good guy and will be missed.

edit to add retired in the subject.

[ernstbass]

1. I was saddened to hear this news