Virginius R. Shackelford Jr.

Virginius R. Shackelford, Jr. died November 26, 2004, after a long and distinguished life. V was born January 15, 1916, a son of Virginius R. Shackelford, Sr. and Peachy Gascoigne Lyne Shackelford. At the age of four, in order to keep up with his older brother, Lyne, he was enrolled in Miss Louise Holladay's day school, which he attended from kindergarten through the sixth grade when he became a student at Woodberry Forest School. Upon graduation from Woodberry in 1932, he attended the University of Virginia where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1936 and a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1938. While at the University, he was a member of the Delta Psi Fraternity (St. Anthony Hall) and the Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity. In 1981, he became a member of the Raven Society as a distinguished alumnus of the University. After graduation from the University in 1938, V returned to his hometown of Orange, and began the practice of law with his father and A. Stuart Robertson, Esq. Except for his years in the army, he continued the practice of law in Orange for the rest of his life. At the outset of World War II, V enlisted as a private in the Eighty-Eighth Infantry Brigade, a National Guard unit, and part of the Twenty-Ninth Infantry Division. He was on active duty from January 23, 1942, until his honorable discharge with the rank of Major on December 7, 1945. He served overseas in the European theater from March 19, 1944, until October 30, 1945, during which time he was on the staff of General George S. Patton. During the winter of 1944-45, when troops under the command of General Patton repulsed the advance of the German Army in the Ardennes, north of Luxembourg, he was in charge of the advance section of G-4, a part of "Lucky Forward," and received the Luxembourg Croix de Guerre for distinguished service during this period. While in the army, V graduated from the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia, and from the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. While at the Command and General Staff School, he was introduced to his future bride, Carroll Kem, a daughter of Hon. James P. Kem, a distinguished Kansas City attorney who later served in the United States Senate. They were married in Kansas City on August 7, 1943, and for a short time lived in San Antonio, Texas, where V was serving on the Headquarters Staff of Third Army. After V concluded his army service, the Shackelfords returned to Orange, and made their home, first at "Peliso" in the Town of Orange, and later for over 50 years at "Brampton" in Madison County. V Shackelford held a number of important positions during his life. He was a president of the Virginia Bar Association, a member of the Board of Visitors of the Medical College of Virginia, a member of the Council of the University of Virginia Law School, a trustee of Woodberry Forest School, a trustee and chairman of the Board of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, a fellow of the Virginia Law Foundation, and a fellow of the American Bar Foundation. A sixth generation descendant of Thomas Jefferson, he was president of The Monticello Association, which is responsible for the care and maintenance of the family graveyard at Monticello. He was appointed Commissioner of Accounts of the Circuit Court of Orange County in 1946, and served in that capacity until his death. V was a widely respected lawyer with a general practice. He was involved in a number of important legal matters, including representation of Marion duPont Scott during her lifetime and as one of the Executors of her estate. He was responsible for carrying out her wish that Montpelier pass to The National Trust for Historic Preservation as a public memorial to President James Madison. V found time in a busy professional schedule for participation in many sporting activities with his wife and children. He enjoyed foxhunting, whitewater canoeing, tennis, golf, and even croquet. For a number of years, he was a member of the Board of Stewards of the National Steeplechase and Hunt Association and a member of the Carolina Cup Racing Committee. With his wife, Carroll, he established a modest steeplechase stable and participated in point-to-point racing in Virginia and Maryland. They owned only six horses, but each of their horses won at least one race over jumps. Carroll predeceased V on December 22, 2000. V and Carroll had four children: V. R. Shackelford III, who practices law in Orange, Culpeper and Madison, C. Preston Shackelford (Todd) who practices law in Napa, California, Mary G. L. Shackelford (Burke), who writes and teaches on Vashon Island, Washington and Kem Shackelford Courtenay, who is a principal of Spaulding & Slye, working out of its office in Washington, D.C. and living in Arlington. V is also survived by his younger brother, George Green Shackelford. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 10, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Orange, with the Rev. Scott Hennessy officiating. Private interment. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Woodberry Forest School or the Thomas Jefferson Foundation. Preddy Funeral Home, Orange, is in charge of arrangements.