VA HR166

Colonel Lewis Ingles Jeffries, USA Ret., died on January 20, 2026, and this resolution honors his life as a veteran, historian, cattle farmer, and Radford community member

Served nearly 27 years in the U.S. Army, including combat duty in Vietnam (1967-1968) with the Field Artillery Battalion, First Cavalry Division, earning the Silver Star for gallantry during the Tet Offensive and the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service

Graduated from Virginia Tech in 1964 as distinguished military graduate, later earned a master's degree from Shippensburg University, and rose to the rank of colonel as director of academic operations at the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth

Became a noted railroad historian, authoring "N & W: Giant of Steam" and serving as official historian for the Norfolk & Western Class J No. 611 locomotive at the Virginia Museum of Transportation

Contributed to the Radford community as founding member and first chairman of the Radford Heritage Foundation, executive director of Radford Main Street program, and New River Land Trust Board member