Colon H. Whitehurst

Chesapeake - Colon Hall Whitehurst, born August 5, 1951 in Norfolk County, VA, died peacefully in his home December 18, 2015 with his family by his side.

He is predeceased by his father, William Ashley Whitehurst and mothers, Helen Hall Whitehurst and Marian Perry Whitehurst; maternal grandparents, Colon L. and Helen W. Hall; paternal grandparents, Clifton E. and Estelle C. Whitehurst.

Colon is survived by his wife of 43 years, Patricia Cantrell Whitehurst; daughter, Ashley Whitehurst James and son-in-law, Jon Christian James; three grandchildren, Caroline Elizabeth James, Jon Christian James, Jr., and Ava Catherine James; sister, Garnett Whitehurst Lane and brother-in-law, James L. Lane, Jr.; brother-in-law, J. Steven Cantrell and sister-in-law, Julie K. Cantrell; niece, Sterling L. Garner; nephews, James Wyatt Cantrell and Ryan Albert Cantrell; great-nephew, Bryce Douglas Garner; and dear friend and mentor H. Leon Hodges.

Colon's family roots run deep in old Norfolk County and the City of Chesapeake. His grandfather, Colon L. Hall, was instrumental in the formation of Chesapeake, becoming its first mayor in 1963. His mother, Marian Perry Whitehurst, was the first female mayor of Chesapeake, serving from 1972-1980.

Colon had a wonderful life filled with many personal and professional accomplishments. He was a member of the Class of 1969 of Great Bridge High School, earned his undergraduate degree in 1974 from Virginia Wesleyan College, and graduated from the Marshall Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary in 1979. Colon entered the practice of law with Judge Richard S. Bray, forming the law firm of Bray & Whitehurst. There he practiced for 11 years, becoming managing partner of the firm of Whitehurst, Grissom, & MacDonald, until he was appointed by the General Assembly to the Chesapeake General District Court in 1990. Of the 21 years he was on the bench, Colon served as chief judge for 18 years.

Colon served his community in many capacities. He was a substitute judge, a member of the Chesapeake Bar Association, the Norfolk-Portsmouth Bar Association, and the Virginia State Bar. He was Chairman of the Chesapeake Port Authority and was a trustee of the Great Bridge Battlefield and Waterways History Foundation. He also served on the boards of Bank of Hampton Roads and Virginia Wesleyan College.

Colon was a dedicated member of Oak Grove United Methodist Church, serving on various boards and committees throughout his life. He was a member of the Wesleyan Sunday School Class for 36 years. Colon was a gentleman who lived by his family legacy. He was gracious and ever-mindful of the blessings in his life. He treasured his multitude of friends from both his personal and business relationships. With his giving nature, he had an astoundingly kind heart. Above everything, the loves of his life were his wife, daughter, grandchildren, and sister, whom he adored and cherished.

The family appreciates the professional and compassionate care given by Dr. Felix Tiangco and staff, Dr. Valiant Tan and staff, Dr. Matthew Sinesi and staff, Dr. William Oelrich, and Melissa Frazier of Kindred Home Health Care and the staff of Kindred at Home Hospice Care.

A celebration of Colon's life will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 22, 2015 in Oak Grove United Methodist Church. Rev. Frank Holley will officiate. The interment will be private. Following the service, all are invited to Colon's home for a reception and time of fellowship. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Oak Grove UMC, 472 N. Battlefield Blvd., Chesapeake, VA 23320. There will be an open viewing Monday at Oman Funeral Home & Crematory, Chesapeake. All are welcome to visit the family at Colon's home anytime Sunday or Monday.

Friends are invited to share a memory and to sign the online guest book at www.omanfh.com.