[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 6 (Monday, January 10, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E16]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING DR. THEODORE JACKSON VIARS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 10, 2022

  Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, I rise in honor of Dr. Theodore Jackson 
(Ted) Viars, who passed away on December 13, 2021 at the age of 87. Dr. 
Viars was a longtime educator in western Virginia who positively 
impacted generations of students.
  Theodore Viars was born on December 26, 1933 in Radford, Virginia. 
His parents were Robert and Louise Viars. He was a student athlete 
throughout his time at Radford High School, from which he graduated in 
1952, and the University of Virginia. At UVA, he earned a football 
scholarship and played varsity baseball while earning a place on the 
Dean's List, serving on the Student Council, and belonging to the 
Varsity Club and the SAE fraternity. He later earned a master's degree 
and a doctorate from Virginia Tech.
  Education became Dr. Viars' mission. He began his career as a teacher 
and assistant principal at Pulaksi High School from 1956 to 1960. 
Subsequently, he worked as principal at Clifton Forge from 1960 to 1963 
before moving to Salem to become Glenvar High School's first principal. 
After Glenvar, he held a variety of roles with the Roanoke County 
Schools, including Director of Instruction, Assistant Superintendent, 
and Deputy Superintendent for Instruction. He retired from the school 
system in 1990 and taught as an Associate Professor of Education at 
Hollins College from 1991 to 1994.
  Dr. Viars was a member of Central United Methodist Church in Salem 
for over 57 years and served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve.
  Dr. Viars was preceded in death by his daughter, Kim Viars. He is 
survived by his wife, Johnsey; children, Kelly Viars Coudriet (Greg), 
Ted Viars II (Tracey), and Martin Viars (Sherry); grandchildren, 
Jackson Bradley, Kelsey Legra, Kayleigh Cox, Teddy III, Max, and Brock 
Viars; and great-grandchildren, Cayden and Roman Legra. I offer them my 
condolences on the loss of this committed lifelong educator.

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