The Shadow
Charlie Conner has been promoted to deputy chief of public safety and law enforcement for Virginia State Parks & Virginia Natural Heritage.
Conner began working for Douthat State Park during his junior year in high school, and after graduating from Alleghany High School, he attended Dabney S. Lancaster Community College where he earned his associate’s degree in law enforcement.
In 1996, he married Tina Grimm, a 1993 graduate of AHS, and the couple has two daughters, Cassie Conner, 21; and Gracie Conner, 19.
Charlie remembered, “I was hired as a park ranger at Douthat in 1995.”
He continued, “In 2006, I was promoted to park manager.”
His new job will take him to the former wax museum in Natural Bridge that has been converted to Virginia’s Western Public Safety Office.
Charlie remarked, “I started my new job on May 10th but will basically remain here till I get a replacement.”
He plans to move his family from the park manager’s home at Douthat State Park to the home his late grandparents, Lester and Nelia Conner, willed to him.
His new residence will be on Longdale Furnace Road in Alleghany County.
The Douthat Speed Group, a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) nonprofit organization that was founded by David Arritt and David Pack more than two decades ago to help raise funds to supplement those funds that the Commonwealth of Virginia budgets for the park, organized the farewell ceremony to honor Charlie.
Held at Douthat State Park from noon till 2:00 p.m. on June 15, Douthat Speed Group’s President Ray Keen, Jr. presided over the ceremony that concluded with Charlie’s emotional comments that included praise for the help that he received from the Douthat Speed Group and its many volunteers.
Keen presented Charlie with a special crafted knife, and Billy Angle, park ranger who is also a graduate of AHS, gave him framed pictures and other gifts from some of the renovated log cabins, gifts that would have gone to waste but hold sentimental value for Charlie.
Also, following the banquet held under the Douthat picnic area pavilion, Keen presented Charlie with a large cake as a going away gift, and Teresa Hammond, executive director of the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, presented Charlie with an appreciation gift.
Charlie thanked all present, including Clifton Forge Mayor Jeff Irvine and Councilwoman Deborah Laudermilk, for attending.
Fighting to keep his emotions under control, Charlie stated, “I’ll miss the park and the staff that works here.”
He noted that volunteers are a great support for the park before he concluded, “The Douthat Speed Group and their volunteers are instrumental to our special events and projects.”
The Douthat Speed Group holds three special events each year at Douthat State Park as follows: Kid’s Fishing Day, March; Douthat Lake Run Car Show, May; and Campsite Cook-Off Octoberfest.
