THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, June 10, 1996 TAG: 9606100032
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 50 lines
Judge Richard Boykin Kellam, 87, of the 2200 block of Princess Anne Road, died June 8, 1996, in his home.
Judge Kellam was the son of the late Able E. Kellam and Claire Eaton Kellam. Judge Kellam was born on May 30, 1909, in Princess Anne County and was educated in the public schools. He was a member of Nimmo United Methodist Church for 78 years, served on its administrative board and was chairman of the Capital Improvement Committee. He also served as lay leader for more than 20 years and taught the Adult Bible Class for more than 30 years.
He was admitted to the Bar in 1933 and practiced with his brother, Ford Kellam.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1945 with the Office of Strategic Services and later as a paratrooper attached to the First Army Headquarters and later the Twelfth Army Group.
In 1945, he returned to practice law with his brother, Edward Kellam, in Norfolk. On June 1, 1960, he was appointted to the 28th Judicial Circuit Court of Virginia and served in the position until he was appointed as a judge of the United States District Courts for the Eastern District of Virginia. From July 1, 1973 to May 30, 1979, he served as chief judge of that court. On May 30, 1981, he took senior status and served in that position until his death. He served on the Judicial Conference Committee on the Administration of the Federal Magistrates System, the Eastern District of Virginia represenative to the Conference of Metropolitan Chief Justice for 15 years. On invitation, he served on the District and Circuit Courts of seven states. Judge Kellam administered the naturalization of U.S. citizens for 20 years in the Colonial Capital in Williamsburg.
He was a former member of the Commission of Fisheries of the Commonwealth of Virginia, past president of the Norfolk Lions Club, and the Tidewater Automobile Association and until his death was serving on its Executive Committee. He was honorary member of the Princess Anne Ruritian Club, a member of the Norfolk Pyramid Club, Princess Anne Country Club, Norfolk and Portsmouth Bar Association. He was the fund-drive chairman of the Red Cross and the Anti-Tuberculosis League.
Survivors include his wife, Alice M. Kellam; a daughter Martha K. Stone of Virginia Beach; two sons, Richard B. Kellam Jr. of France and Philip J. Kellam of Virginia Beach; a brother, William P. Kellam of Virginia Beach; and two grandsons, Meade G. Stone, III and Alexander C. Kellam, both of Virginia Beach.
A church service will be conducted at noon Tuesday in Nimmo United Methodist Church by the Rev. John B. Morris and the Rev. Warren L. Reeves. Burial will be in Nimmo United Methodist Church Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Nimmo United Methodist Church Endowment Fund. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Laskin Road Chapel, is handling arrangements.
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB