2026 SESSION
ENROLLED
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 275
Celebrating the life of the Honorable John Granger Macfarlane II.
Agreed to by the Senate, March 11, 2026
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 12, 2026
WHEREAS, the Honorable John Granger Macfarlane II, a proud veteran, accomplished businessman, independent-minded legislator, esteemed public servant, devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and beloved member of the Roanoke community, died on June 23, 2025; and
WHEREAS, a native of Washington, D.C., Granger Macfarlane graduated from Duke University, then served his country with honor and distinction during the Korean War as a member of the United States Marine Corps; and
WHEREAS, Granger Macfarlane ran a spirited but unsuccessful House of Delegates primary challenger campaign in 1959 on a platform opposing Massive Resistance and in support of public education; and
WHEREAS, as the founder of the Blue Ridge Hospitality Group and its predecessor, Eastern Motor Inns, Inc., Granger Macfarlane led the development and operation of many hotels and motor inns throughout Southwest Virginia and became a leading voice for the region's hospitality industry; and
WHEREAS, as a testament to his character and willingness to help others in need, Granger Macfarlane was known to regularly assist individuals and families facing personal crises by offering them lodging in his hotels and inns; and