HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 34
(By Delegates Coop-Gonzalez and Sheedy)
[Introduced February 14, 2025; Referredto the committee on Energy and Public Works then Rules ]
Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 36-28-24.07(36A082), locally known as Mouth of Seneca Bridge, carrying WV 28 and WV 55 over Seneca Creek in Pendleton County, the "U. S. Merchant Marine J. Ward Teter Memorial Bridge".
Whereas, J. Ward Teter was born on August 15, 1940, in Teterton, West Virginia, the son of a farmer, Zola Lee Teter and Ella Frances (Long) Teter; and
Whereas, After graduating from high school, J. Ward Teter joined the Merchant Marines and traveled the world hauling cargo to places like India, Japan, and the Philippines; and
Whereas, After two years in the Merchant Marines, J. Ward Teter returned to Pendleton County to the farm on Lower Timber Ridge. In 1964, he was hired by R.H. Armstrong in Parsons, West Virginia and later for WV Paving; and
Whereas, J. Ward Teter worked in the asphalt paving industry for 58 years, and developed the mathematical factor for calculating accurate usage of tons per lineal foot which is still in use today; and
Whereas, J. Ward Teter's mathematical factor for calculating the amount of asphalt needed per lineal foot innovated the paving industry, he was still a farmer at heart. During summers, after spending all day paving in the heat, he would tend his cattle and make hay until dark; and
Whereas, J. Ward Teter loved old cars, especially late 1950s Thunderbirds. In fact, when Ford reissued the classic version of the Thunderbird in the 2000s, he purchased one, which still sits in his garage to this day; and
Whereas, J. Ward Teter worked his final shift in the paving industry in November of 2022, fully intending to return in the spring, but he was diagnosed with cancer shortly after and died on February 23, 2023, at 82 years of age; and
Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate J. Ward Teter and his contributions to our state and country; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 36-28-24.07(36A082), locally known as Mouth of Seneca Bridge, carrying WV 28 and WV 55 over Seneca Creek in Pendleton County, the "U. S. Merchant Marine J. Ward Teter Memorial Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge as the "U. S. Merchant Marine J. Ward Teter Memorial Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.