James Dale Bimson

BIMSON, The Hon. James Dale, a retired Virginia Beach General District Court judge, died peacefully on March 26, 2021, in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Dale was the youngest of two children. He was predeceased by his parents, Thelma J. Bimson and Harry D. Bimson; and his sister, June Bimson Garnett and her husband, Glassal Garnett.

Dale is survived by his wife of 54 years, Elizabeth Pritchett Bimson; their son, Bradford Dale Bimson; and future daughter-in-law, Joan Elizabeth Fox; and their daughter, Elizbeth Bimson Dye; and son-in-law, John Daniel Dye; by his brother-in-law, William George Pritchett; and sister-in-law, Betty Appler Pritchett, of Richmond; and by four grandchildren, Sarah Hummel Bimson, Madeline Elizabeth Dye, John Macaddin Dye and Parker James Dye; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Dale graduated from John Marshall High School in 1953 and served in the United States Navy as a communications technician. After his military service, Dale returned home to Richmond and graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1961.

An avid reader and lover of history, he began his professional career teaching history and government to high school students in Northern Virginia. He returned home to Richmond in 1962 to further his education and, in 1965, graduated from The T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond.

After graduating from law school, Dale worked as an attorney for The Travelers Insurance Company before accepting a position in 1966 as the first assistant city attorney of the nascent City of Virginia Beach.

Three years later, the Virginia Beach City Council appointed him City Attorney. Dale served with distinction in that position for 20 years and advised city officials on important legal issues during the fastest growth in the City's history. He inspired loyalty among his staff and was appreciated for his humor, mellow nature, and deep understanding of municipal law.

Everyone who lives in or visits Virginia Beach has him to thank for securing the pipeline that supplies every drop of water Virginia Beach uses today. Despite apocalyptic predictions of economic ruin for the city and ecological disaster for Lake Gaston and the Roanoke River (none of which occurred) — not to mention more than a decade of litigation with the State of North Carolina — Dale's legal strategy and unwavering commitment to what was best for the City of Virginia Beach ultimately prevailed.

In 1989, the General Assembly of Virginia appointed Dale to serve as a judge of the General District Court of Virginia Beach. Once again, he served with distinction for 20 years, including a two-year term as chief judge.

Throughout his career, he served his community through his dedication to education. He served as an adjunct professor at Regent Law School and Virginia Wesleyan College and as an instructor of the Tidewater Police Academy.

After retiring from the bench, Dale served as Of Counsel to the law firm of Pender & Coward.

Dale generously supported numerous benevolent organizations — financially and through personal involvement — including the Masons, Shriners Hospital for Children, Lions Club and Virginia Beach Rotary Club. Dale served in various capacities in these and other organizations, including the Virginia State Bar, Virginia Beach Bar Association, Virginia Beach Trial Lawyers Association, the American Bar Association, Virginia Beach Criminal Justice Board and Virginia Beach Cable Television Commission. Dale was founding Director of the Local Government Attorneys of Virginia, Chairman of the Virginia Municipal League, Virginia Beach Senate Committee on Zoning Appeals Procedures, Virginia Beach Deferred Compensation Board and National Institute of Municipal Law Officers.

He will be remembered for his devotion to his family, for his love of the law and for his dedication to the highest ethical standards of professionalism.

Dale's interment will be a private, family affair. Because of the ongoing pandemic, the family will schedule a date on which his friends will gather to tell funny stories about the man they knew and loved as "Dale." If you would like to receive information about this gathering or share your memories of Dale, please let the family know via email at dale.bimson@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers or other memorial gifts, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association or to your favorite charity. Online condolences may be made to the family at hdoliver.com.