[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 2, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E91]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING JOHN KILGORE, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 2, 2022

  Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, I rise in honor of John H. Kilgore, Sr. 
of Gate City, Virginia, who passed away on January 29, 2022. John had a 
faithful and enduring presence in Southwest Virginia's public life.
  John was born on April 20, 1938, in Nickelsville, Virginia, to Glen 
C. and Pasty Akers Kilgore. He served in the United States Navy and 
worked for 33 years at the Eastman Chemical Company. Over the course of 
his life, John served numerous community causes. He was the chairman of 
the Scott County Republican Party for more than 30 years, served 
several terms on the party's State Central Committee, and regularly 
attended county, district, and state conventions. He was on the Scott 
County Telephone Co-op Board beginning in 1986 and served as chairman 
for fifteen years. Virginia Governors George Allen and Jim Gilmore 
appointed him to the statewide Department of Housing and Community 
Development Board. John brought his talents as a singer to his family 
quartet and the Smith's Chapel United Methodist Church, where he also 
taught Sunday School. He belonged to the Copper Creek Ruritan since the 
1970s.
  I was able to attend his visitation. His funeral was attended by 
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, Attorney General Jason Miyares, 
Speaker of the House of Delegates Todd Gilbert, and many current and 
former members of the General Assembly, a sign of the high esteem in 
which John was held.
  John took great pride in his family and was blessed to see his 
children and grandchildren embark on careers in public service. Terry 
Kilgore now serves as the Majority Leader of the Virginia House of 
Delegates, Jerry Kilgore served as Virginia's Attorney General and 
Secretary of Public Safety, John Kilgore Jr. serves as Executive 
Director of Scott County's Economic Development Authority, and Kyle 
Kilgore recently took office as Commonwealth's Attorney of Scott 
County.
  The faith, kindness, and wisdom of John inspired his family. 
Fortunately, these qualities were shared generously with the rest of 
us, too. He leaves behind a great legacy as a family man, neighbor, and 
citizen.
  John is survived by his wife Willie; sons Terry and wife Debbie, 
Jerry and wife Marty, and John Jr. and wife Rhonda; grandchildren 
Kandace Haigler, Kayla Dickenson, Klarke Kilgore, Kyle Kilgore, Kaden 
Kilgore, and Kelsey Kilgore; great grandchildren Holston Haigler and 
Hendrix Haigler; great grandchild on the way Nola Kilgore; sisters 
Joyce Hillman, Joann Penley and husband Sam, and Glenna Carter and 
husband Norman; and brother-in-law Otis K. Hill. l would like to offer 
my condolences to his loved ones on the loss of this fine Southwest 
Virginian.

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