THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 26, 1995 TAG: 9511260049
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B6 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
The Honorable Vernon Davis Hitchings Jr. 76, left this life on Saturday, Nov. 25, 1995. He was born in Norfolk in 1919, the son of the late Vernon Davis Hitchings and Mabel Wormington Hitchings.
He was a graduate of Maury High School and the University of Virginia and was a Lt. Cmdr. in Naval Intelligence during World War II. He was a radar officer aboard the USS Fanshaw Bay and was the commanding officer of the Fighter Director School for the Pacific Fleet Center in Hawaii.
He was appointed police justice of Police Court Part II in 1954 and retired in 1980. In 1973 he was elected chief judge of the Norfolk General District Courts and again in 1974, he was reappointed by the state legislature.
He was a recipient of many American Bar Association awards, taking first place in Traffic Court procedures. He received many commendations and resolutions of recognition and was named in the Congressional Record. He was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for having tried over a million cases. Ninety-six percent of his cases were either unappealed or upheld on appeal.
He contributed to a weekly newspaper column, ``The Traffic Corner'' for seven years. He was named ``Distinguished Virginian'' by the Virginia State Exchange Clubs, and the Virginia General Assembly passed a house joint resolution commending Judge Hitchings. He received a UDC Cross of Military Service and an award of the Tidewater Triad Lawyers Association, and the DeMolay's Legion of Honor. He was a member of the International Fellowship of Christian Businessmen.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Amelia Etheridge Hitchings; three sons, the Rev. Dr. Laurence Davis Hitchings, and his wife, Becky, of Virginia Beach, Lloyd P. Hitchings M.D. and his wife, Cindy, of Elizabeth City, and Wilson Wise Hitchings and his wife, Jana of Pleasant Hill, Calif. The Judge adored his five grandchildren, Ann Elizabeth, Mary Rebekah, Sarah Margaret, all of Virginia Beach, and Elyse Katherine and Reese Davis Hitchings of California. He was fond of many relatives, including cousins, Nancy Hitchings Hall and her husband, Wiley, and Margaret Sue Hitchings Ricks and her husband Charles, as well as the many members of the Consolvo and Wormington families.
Judge Hitchings was a faithful and devoted husband, and a caring and provident father. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and had served as judge on the Hampton Roads Sport Fishing Council.
He was known for honesty and integrity and time has proven him better than his critics, whom he respected. He performed many good deeds behind the scenes and was the good-natured recipient of the Saints and Sinners Roast. He was a steadfast and dependable family man and his memory is loved and revered. He accepted Jesus Christ as his savior, making his successful life complete. Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into your rest.
A funeral service will be conducted on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Cox Funeral Home Chapel by the Rev. Robert L. Consolvo. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family will be at the funeral home Monday night from 7 to 8 p.m. to receive friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Union Mission.
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB