[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 194 (Monday, November 16, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1025]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING CHRIS GLADDEN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 16, 2020

  Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, I offer these remarks in honor of Thomas 
Christopher Gladden of Salem, Virginia, who died on October 22, 2020. 
Chris Gladden was a journalist and antiquarian whose work was enjoyed 
by many in the Roanoke Valley.
  Chris was born on December 25, 1948 in Roanoke to Hobart Augustus 
Gladden and Phyllis Ann Denit. He graduated from Andrew Lewis High 
School in Salem. In his youth, his carefree lifestyle, which included 
hitchhiking to Nashville to see Bob Dylan and turning down a chance to 
attend Woodstock to instead go to the Atlantic City Pop Festival, 
earned him a place in the Roanoke World-News as a subject of columnist 
Mike Ives. Eventually Chris joined the paper as an employee. He started 
as a copy boy in 1974 and found one of his strengths was writing movie 
reviews. Readers of the Roanoke World-News and then the Roanoke Times, 
following the merger of the papers in 1977, enjoyed his astute and 
entertaining film commentary until 1993.
  Chris then opted to leave the Roanoke Times and open a bookstore. He 
specialized in rare books, antiques, and really interesting stuff. As 
one of his customers, I enjoyed browsing his collection and learning of 
his finds. During this time, he also earned a degree in history from 
Roanoke College. His love of history extended beyond his studies and 
his rare book collection; he served on the board of the Salem 
Historical Society and was involved in the Historical Society of 
Western Virginia. He also served as president of the Salem Friends of 
the Library Board.
  Chris had two sons that he loved, and shortly before his death lost 
his son Sean. He is survived by his son William. I offer my condolences 
on his loss.

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