NC Lawyer In Memoriam
In Memoriam is a regular feature of North Carolina Lawyer magazine devoted to recently deceased NCBA members. To submit notices, email [email protected]. Notices received through Aug. 4, 2020, are provided below.
Franklin Vernon Adams of Raleigh died March 3 at the age of 72. A native of Elberton, Ga., he grew up in Goldsboro and graduated from East Carolina University (1971) and UNC School of Law (1974). He served as vice president of claims for Nationwide and vice president of claims/legal for CalFarm of Sacramento, Calif.
Dolph Berry of Fayetteville died June 5 at the age of 85. A native of Whiteville, he graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1956. Following service in the U.S. Army, Berry graduated from UNC School of Law in 1962. He practiced at various times with Fayetteville attorneys Charles Rose Jr., Bob Caudle, Wade Byrd, and his late brother, Doran J. Berry, before completing his career as a solo practitioner. Berry served as president of the Cumberland County Bar Association.
Jonathan Vann Bridgers of Greenville died Jan. 31 at the age of 43. A native of Greenville, Bridgers graduated from East Carolina University (1999) and Regent University School of Law (2005). After graduating from law school, Bridgers served as an attorney in eastern North Carolina for more than 10 years. In 2014, he founded his own practice, Bridgers Law Firm.
Jo Ann Brighton of Huntersville died March 5 at the age of 55. She was a graduate of the University of Delaware (1986) and NYU Law School (1989). Brighton moved to Charlotte in 2004 to serve as special counsel at Kennedy Covington Lobdell & Hickman (now K&L Gates) and was inducted into the American College of Bankruptcy in 2008.
Dr. Thomas Walter Brown of Winston-Salem died Feb. 24 at the age of 68. He was a graduate of Hiram College (1974), Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (1978) and UNC School of Law (1989). He served as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine with Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.
Robert N. Burris of Charlotte died July 26 at the age of 79. A native of Wingate, he graduated from the University of South Carolina (1963) and UNC School of Law (1970). His military career included service in the U.S. Navy, where he was commissioned as an ensign, from 1963-67, and the Naval Reserve, from which he retired as a lieutenant in 1985. His legal career began in Charlotte in 1970 with Byrum and Byrum, and in 1989 he was also licensed in South Carolina, practicing in both states as a self-described “dirt lawyer.”
Jones P. Byrd of Asheville died Jan. 27 at the age of 73. A native of Sanford, he was a graduate of Wake Forest University (1968) and Wake Forest University School of Law (1971). Byrd served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and was a JAG Corps Reserves officer. After working in the Attorney General’s Office in Raleigh, Byrd relocated to Asheville, where he practiced with Patla, Straus, Robinson & Moore and The Van Winkle Law Firm.
Andrew “Andy” Arthur George Canoutas of Wilmington died Aug. 3 at the age of 85. A native of Wilmington, he was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Wake Forest University School of Law (1963). Canoutas served as town attorney for Kure Beach for 57 years, and previously served as town attorney for Carolina Beach, Leland and Sandy Creek. He also served Kure Beach as a police officer and volunteer fireman, and was the town’s first lifeguard.
James Orr “Jim” Cobb Jr. of Charlotte died Nov. 1 at the age of 92. A native of Durham, he was a graduate of Davidson College (1950) and UNC School of Law (1955). Cobb served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1944-45. He practiced in the firm now known as Ruff, Bond, Cobb, Wade & Bethune for more than 40 years, and served as president of the Mecklenburg County Bar.
John Charles Collins of Wilmington died April 5 at the age of 69. A native of New York City, he was a graduate of Duke University (1972) and Wake Forest University School of Law (1976). Collins practiced in Wilmington for 44 years as an assistant district attorney and partner at Hewlett, Collins & Allard. He was a founding member of the National College for DUI Defense and past president of the New Hanover County Bar Association.
Harold Donald Colston of Rocky Mount died June 27 at the age of 83. A native of the Pleasant Grove Community of Nash County, he graduated from North Carolina State University and served as an engineer with the N.C. State Highway Commission. Following service in the U.S. Army Reserve, Colston graduated from UNC School of Law (1967) and moved to Rocky Mount, where he practiced with Battle, Winslow Scott and Wiley, P.A. for 23 years. After 17 years in solo practice, Colston retired at the end of 2007. He served as chair of the NCBA Senior Lawyers Division in 2009-10.
William “Bill” Thomas Cozart of Wilson died March 10 at the age of 79. He was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1962) and UNC School of Law (1965), and served in the U.S. Navy JAG Corps. He began his law practice in 1968 with Carr & Gibbons and practiced for more than 50 years.
Barrett Lynn Crawford of Morganton died March 22 at the age of 69. A native of Cincinnati, he was a graduate of Indiana University (1974) and Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis (now Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, 1980). Crawford’s law firm focused primarily on bankruptcy and business law, and at various times had offices in Hickory, Hildebran, Morganton and Valdese.
Fred G. Crumpler Jr. of Winston-Salem died Jan. 19 at the age of 89. A native of Danville, Va., he grew up in Winston-Salem. He was a graduate of Guilford College and Wake Forest University School of Law (1957). Crumpler founded his own practice, White and Crumpler (now known as Crumpler Freedman Parker & Witt), in Winston-Salem in 1959.
Herbert O. “Bert” Davis of Greensboro died Feb. 21 at the age of 84. He was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1957) and Duke University School of Law (1960). Davis joined Smith Moore Smith Schell & Hunter as an associate in 1960 and later became a partner in the firm, part of which later became Smith Moore Leatherwood before combining with Fox Rothschild in 2018.
William Franklin Drew Jr. of Charlotte died Feb. 21 at the age of 75. A native of Anderson, S.C., he was a graduate of Duke University (1966) and the University of Virginia School of Law (1969). Drew practiced in Charlotte with Kennedy Covington Lobdell and Hickman (now K&L Gates) until his retirement in 2002 and was a founding member of the NCBA Estate Planning & Fiduciary Law Section.
Lawrence Egerton Jr. of Greensboro died March 28 at the age of 88. He was a native of Greensboro and graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1952). Following service in the U.S. Air Force, Egerton graduated from UNC School of Law (1956) and founded Egerton and Associates, practicing for many years with his son, Pierce Egerton. He is also remembered as an avid harmonica player and entrepreneur.
Harry Edward Fisher of Troy died on Dec. 26 at Randolph Hospice House in Asheboro. He was 73. Born in Union County, N.J., Fisher was a graduate of Wake Forest University and the University of Virginia School of Law (1972). He began his career in Morehead City and served Montgomery County for nearly 50 years.
John Stuart Fletcher II of Hyde County died April 12 at the age of 82. He grew up in Edenton and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1961) and UNC School of Law (1964). Fletcher began his legal career with Frank Wooten in Greenville, where he also created what is now the Law Enforcement Training Program at Pitt Community College. He moved to Swan Quarter in 1972 and practiced for 35 years in Hyde County, where he also served as county attorney, county commissioner and magistrate.
Mark E. Fogel of Raleigh died Dec. 8 at the age of 77. A native of Bronx, N.Y., Fogel graduated from The Cooper Union (1965) and UNC School of Law (1974). He also received a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Fogel practiced environmental law in Raleigh.
L.G. “Nick” Gordon Jr. of Winston-Salem died May 27 at the age of 76. A native of Forsyth County, he was a graduate of St. Andrews Presbyterian College (1967) and Wake Forest University School of Law (1970). Gordon maintained his own practice for more than 45 years and served as clerk of Forsyth County Superior Court. He was a past president of the Forsyth County Bar Association.
Frances Hunt Hall of Southern Pines died Jan. 18 at the age of 100. She was a native of Panama City, Panama, and grew up in Zebulon. During World War II, Hunt served in WAVES, and rose to the rank of lieutenant commander. She was a graduate of Woman’s College (1940), now UNC-Greensboro, and UNC School of Law (1959). She served 12 years as law librarian for the North Carolina Supreme Court.
Spencer Dean Hamrick of Charlotte died Feb. 10 at the age of 91. A native of Shelby, he graduated from Wake Forest University (then College) in 1949 and UNC School of Law (1952). Hamrick served in the U.S. Army JAG Corps in Korea and was awarded the Bronze Star. Following military service he moved to Charlotte, where he practiced with Francis Fairley and served as president of the Mecklenburg County Bar.
John Mark Harrington of Charlotte died Feb. 20 at the age of 80. A native of Pitt County, he was a graduate of North Carolina State University and the University of South Carolina School of Law (1968). Harrington practiced in Winston-Salem with Hudson, Petree, Stockton, Stockton and Robinson (now Kilpatrick, Townsend & Stockton) before moving to Charlotte to help establish an office of King & Spalding. He later joined Johnson, Marcou, Isaacs and Nix.
Robert C. “Bob” Hord Jr. of Charlotte died May 30 at the age of 79. He was a graduate of Davidson College (1962) and UNC School of Law (1965). Hord joined a longstanding Charlotte firm in the 1980s which became Johnston, Allison & Hord, P.A. in 1997, and was serving of counsel with the firm at the time of his death.
Max Justice of Charlotte died on Jan. 31 at the age of 74. A native of Hendersonville, he was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1967) and Wake Forest University School of Law (1970). Justice joined Grier, Parker and Poe, now Parker Poe, where he practiced environmental law and became a partner. He served on the board of the Carolinas Air Pollution Control Association and helped to found Charlotte’s Guardian ad Litem program.
DeVere Craven Lentz Jr. of Asheville died June 15 at the age of 91. He was a graduate of Asheville Biltmore Junior College, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1951) and UNC School of Law (1954). Lentz practiced law in Asheville for 52 years.
Perry Whitehead Martin Sr. of Ahoskie died May 28 at the age of 91. A native of Creeksville, he served in the U.S. Army and graduated from Wake Forest University School of Law in 1950. Perry served in both chambers of the General Assembly and as a Superior Court judge.
Mitchell M. McEntire of Graham and Old Fort died June 26 at the age of 75. A native of Old Fort, he was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1967) and UNC School of Law (1970). McEntire practiced in Graham for 50 years, including the past 25 years with Tony DiLello in McEntire & DiLello.
James Allen “Jim” Medford of Greensboro died Aug. 4 at the age of 75. Raised in Waynesville, he was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1967) and Harvard Law School (1971), and both a Morehead Scholar and Fulbright Scholar. Medford joined Smith Moore Smith Schell and Hunter in 1971 and retired in 2016 as a senior partner at Smith Moore Leatherwood (now Fox Rothschild), focusing his practice on intellectual property litigation, health care and international law.
Jonathan Wilson Moody of Shallotte died March 8 at the age of 36. A native of Cherry Point, he grew up in Nash County before graduating from UNC Charlotte (2008) and Appalachian School of Law (2013). Moody volunteered at the Brunswick County District Attorney’s Office while attending law school and later opened Moody Law PLLC in Shallotte.
James Edgar Moore of Rocky Mount died Jan. 30 at the age of 83. A native of Greenville, he was a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill (1959) and UNC School of Law (1962). Upon finishing his law degree, Moore enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he earned the rank of captain. Relocating to Rocky Mount in 1965, Moore practiced family law there for more than 50 years and served on the NCBA Board of Governors. He also chaired the Nash Community College Board of Trustees and NCC Foundation.
Lee West Movius of Charlotte died June 27 at the age of 73. A native of Boston, he grew up in Asheville and graduated from Harvard University (B.A., 1969) and the University of Chicago (M.A., 1970; J.D., 1973). After clerking for Judge Frank Parker of the N.C. Court of Appeals and serving as an attorney for the N.C. Utilities Commission, Movius joined Kennedy, Covington, Lobdell and Hickman (now K&L Gates) in 1975 and remained there for the remainder of his career.
Carl F. Parrish of Winston-Salem died March 9 at the age of 70. He grew up in West Virginia and Durham, and graduated from East Carolina University (1970) and Wake Forest University School of Law (1974). Parrish was widely known in the Winston-Salem area for providing legal advice on WXII-TV. He served as president of the Forsyth County Criminal Defense Trial Lawyers Association and chair of the Northwest North Carolina Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Scott Troendly Pollard died Aug. 4 at the age of 70. A native of Burlington, he was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1971) and UNC School of Law (1974). In 1979, Pollard co-founded Dozier, Miller and Pollard (later Dozier, Miller, Pollard and Murphy and now Dozier Miller Law Group), where he practiced family law and civil litigation. An avid reader and accomplished tennis player, he won multiple Southern, state and club championships.
Gary Lester Presnell of Raleigh died June 17 at the age of 69. He was a native of Burnsville and graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1972) and North Carolina Central University School of Law (1983). Presnell practiced law for 37 years focusing primarily on criminal defense.
Anthony Eden “Tony” Rand of Fayetteville died May 1 at the age of 80. He was born in Panther Branch Township (now part of Garner) and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1961) and UNC School of Law (1964). Rand practiced law for more than 55 years, primarily in Fayetteville, with the firm that became Rose, Thorp and Rand, and ultimately with Rand and Gregory. He served 11 terms in the Senate (1981-88 and 1995-2009) including several terms as majority leader, and later chaired the N.C. Parole and Post-Release Supervision Commission and the N.C. Lottery Commission.
John Richard Rittelmeyer of Cary died Oct. 28 at the age of 63. A native of Jackson, Miss., he was a graduate of Georgetown University and the University of Mississippi School of Law (1989). Rittelmeyer practiced with Hartzell and Whiteman in Raleigh. He played a vital role in the transition of North Carolina’s federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system for people with disabilities from a unit of state government into Carolina Legal Assistance (now Disability Rights North Carolina).
Wendell Sawyer of Greensboro died June 18 at the age of 69. He was a graduate of High Point University and the University of Arkansas School of Law (1980).
Michael Wayne “Mike” Strickland of Fayetteville died Feb. 28 at the age of 59. He was a graduate of Methodist University and Campbell Law School (1985). Strickland practiced real estate law at Blackwell, Swaringen & Russ from 1985-91 and at Anderson and Strickland from 1991 until his retirement in October 2018. He served as a deacon at Village Baptist Church and helped found Village Christian Academy.
William “Bill” Little Tankersley III of Greensboro died Feb. 15 at the age of 71. A native of Greensboro, he was a polio survivor and lived for many years with post-polio syndrome. Tankersley was a graduate of Furman University (1969) and the UNC School of Law (1974), and a certified public accountant. He was a shareholder in Carruthers & Roth, retiring from full-time practice in 1999.
Judge Samuel McDowell Tate of Morganton died May 4 at the age of 96. He was a graduate of Davidson College (1948) and UNC School of Law (1953). Tate served in the U.S. Army during World War II, during which he was captured by the Germans. He began practicing law in Charlotte in 1953 and went on to serve 12 years as a District Court judge and later as an emergency judge.
Philip M. Van Hoy of Charlotte died Jan. 25 at the age of 72. A native of Charlotte, Van Hoy graduated from Duke University (1970) and UNC School of Law (1973). After serving in the U.S. Army, Van Hoy practiced employment law for Duke Power’s legal department. Van Hoy co-founded the law firm Van Hoy, Reutlinger, Adams & Pierce, where he worked for over three decades in employment law.
John “Gary” Vannoy Sr. of Millers Creek died March 15 at the age of 79. A native of Wilkes County, he attended Mars Hill College and graduated from Wake Forest University (1962) and Wake Forest University School of Law (1964). In 1968 Vannoy started the firm now known as Vannoy, Colvard, Triplett and Vannoy, where his partners included his son, John G. (Jay) Vannoy Jr. In 2018 he was inducted into the NCBA General Practice (now Legal Practice) Hall of Fame.
Jerry Claid Woodell of Wilmington died Jan. 1 at the age of 75. A native of Whiteville, he was a graduate of Wilmington College and UNC School of Law (1973). Woodell was a partner with Marshall, Williams & Gorham. He practiced in Wilmington for 36 years, retiring in 2009.
David Crenshaw Worth Jr. of Raleigh died April 11 at the age of 77. A native of Raleigh, he was a graduate of Presbyterian College and UNC School of Law (1968). Worth was a captain in the U.S. Army and lost his right leg in an auto accident while serving at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. He served as a vice president and in-house counsel at First Federal Savings and Loan of Raleigh and later as an attorney with the N.C. Commissioner of Banks.
This article is part of the August 2020 issue of North Carolina Lawyer. Access a curated view of NC Lawyer or view the table of contents.