WHEREAS, Ben Judson Honaker, Jr., a highly respected real estate developer who helped reshape the Fredericksburg region through his legacy of achievements with the Silver Companies, died on September 22, 2023; and

WHEREAS, a lifelong resident of Fredericksburg, Judson "Jud" Honaker cultivated an appreciation for the value of hard work and responsibility at the age of eight, when he began working on a nearby farm; and

WHEREAS, Jud Honaker graduated from James Monroe High School in 1982, then pursued higher education at East Carolina University, Old Dominion University, and the University of Mary Washington; and

WHEREAS, Jud Honaker began his career with Mary Washington Healthcare, then joined the Silver Companies, where he worked closely with his mentor the late Carl D. Silver and longtime business partner and friend, Larry Silver; and

WHEREAS, Jud Honaker ultimately became president of commercial development at the Silver Companies, in which capacity he oversaw sales, leasing, construction, engineering, and property development for a wide range of commercial projects; and

WHEREAS, over the course of his nearly 40-year career, Jud Honaker developed, leased, or sold projects that amounted to more than four million square feet of retail and commercial space, including Harrison's Crossing, Cosner's Corner, Doc Stone Commons, Celebrate Virginia North and South, Cowan Crossing, and Quantico Corporate Center; and

WHEREAS, in 1995, Jud Honaker notably oversaw the development of Central Park, which was the largest retail development on the east coast of the United States at the time; among his many other proud achievements, he secured a deal with the Fredericksburg Nationals to bring professional baseball to his hometown; and

WHEREAS, Jud Honaker also volunteered his leadership and expertise to the Fredericksburg Regional Alliance, the Fredericksburg Industrial Development Authority, and the Rappahannock United Way, and in 2011, he was appointed to the Board of Visitors of the University of Mary Washington; and

WHEREAS, in 2017, Jud Honaker received the Prince B. Woodard Leadership Award from the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce in recognition of his dedicated leadership in his field, commitment to ethics, and unwavering service to the community; and

WHEREAS, Jud Honaker will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his beloved wife of 29 years, Christy; his children, Paige and Grant, and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Ben Judson Honaker, Jr., an accomplished real estate developer who made many contributions to the Fredericksburg community; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Ben Judson Honaker, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.