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John Kent Shumate Jr.

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Hampden-Sydney College University of Richmond

John Shumate Obituary

SHUMATE, John Kent Jr., Esq., 36, of Midlothian, formerly of Wytheville, lost his short but courageous battle with cancer on August 30, 2007. Survivors include his wife, Alison Rhoades Shumate; their daughter, Madeline Sydney Shumate; his parents, John Kent Shumate Sr. and Janey Smith Shumate; one brother, Patrick Bruce Shumate and his wife, Cara; loving aunts, uncles, and cousins; and two dogs, Cash and Bella. He was a graduate of Hampden-Sydney College in 1993 and The University of Richmond Law School in 2001. John was a writer for the Wytheville Enterprise from 1993 to 1995. He managed political campaigns and worked as an aide for Congressman Rick Boucher. Most recently, John was practicing law for the State of Virginia. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Huguenot Chapel of Woody Funeral Home, 1020 Huguenot Rd. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Cannon Memorial Chapel at The University of Richmond. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Virginia Poverty Law Center, 700 East Franklin Street, Suite 14T1, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

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Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch from Sep. 2 to Sep. 3, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for John Shumate

19 Entries

Steve Beasley

September 12, 2007

To the Shumate family, I recently learned of the passing of John. My thoughts go out to the entire family. Loss of this nature is very painful. Please take a few minutes to remember one another in this time of sadness.

Sandy Thomas

September 11, 2007

Dear Family:
I cannot imagine how much you miss and will miss John. I taught John in high school and found him to be a truly wonderful young man. Your family will remain in my prayers.

heidi (eads) zavala

September 10, 2007

May your grief be lessened in knowing John made such a lasting impact on probably everyone who knew him. His charisma and genuine character is what I remember most. He was always kind and expressed himself extremely well without having to say anything. His character was true. My prayers and sincere condolences extend to the entire family. May you all find comfort and strength in each other.

Rhonda (Lowe) Zola

September 10, 2007

I remember John as being such a smart and well rounded individual. It breaks my heart to know that he didn't have the opportunity to see his daughter grow up. I pray that God restores the family's strength and gives them the courage to move forward as John would want them to.

Sue Jones

September 7, 2007

To John's family, I taught John for several years, and remember him as an excellent student with a wonderful sense of humor. My prayers are with you all. Mme Jones

Margaret Blair

September 7, 2007

John, I remember playing clarinet with you in concert band. I remember whenever I couldn't get a note, I'd stop playing and listen to you play. You were right there beside me and always helping me get the notes right. I learned so much about music, about Creativity in Odyssey of the Mind, and Spanish, and English. I am so happy to hear of your accomplishments. May you be gathered on the wings of eagles and soar high for you have blessed so many here. I pray that your family and friends will find comfort and peace during this time. Perhaps our heartfelt messages will be of some hope. You are cherished my friend. Margaret

Bruce Spencer

September 6, 2007

I was extremely saddened to learn that John had passed away. I am afraid that we had lost touch over many years and many moves, but it is hard for me to imagine that the bright, energetic, young man of my high school memories is no longer with us.

I know there are no words that can diminish the grief of losing a son, a brother, a husband, or a father. But please know that there are many of us who are thinking of you in this difficult time. We will always carry fond memories of John in our hearts.

Elaine Ewing

September 6, 2007

Dr. Rhodes, I am a former client of yours and I am very sorry to hear about the passing of your husband. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your daughter during this difficult time.

Tara (Felts) Dowdy

September 5, 2007

My heart is deeply saddened at hearing about John's passing. My memories of John are of our high school years together. We all knew John would do wonderful things in this life. None of us could have known his time would be so short. From the comforting words I've been reading about him, he did accomplish many wonderful goals.
My thoughts, prayers are for you his parents, his brother, his wife & his daughter & any other person who has had the privilege of knowing him. I'm truly, truly sorry for your loss.

Geoff O'Neill

September 4, 2007

John,
It was an absolute pleasure to have known you. Some of my fondest memories at Hampden-Sydney were of spending time with you. I just wish there had been more time.

Cheryl Jones

September 4, 2007

I too, like Frank, had the pleasure of working with John for a short time in 2006. I found John to be a bright attorney and an even brighter human. I was very sorry to hear about his passing, and hope that his wife Alison, daughter Madeline and family will find comfort in fond memories of John and his kind spirit. I know he will be greatly missed. My prayers for comfort go out on your behalf.

Andy Kegley

September 3, 2007

To the entire Shumate family: The years i overlapped with John while we were both writing for the Enterprise were fabulously creative and meaningful, due in large part to his intellect, perspective and humor in the newsroom and beyond. I cherish those times in the salt mines, while we were finding future identities and vocations.
I'm terribly saddedned to read of his passing, and wish that i had had more time to share with him. Our occasional phone chats brightened my day, and i always came away from them with comfort that he was fighting the good fight. The world has lost an exceptional member. I hope to meet Allison and his daughter some day to pass along my rememberances in person.
Sincerely, Andy Kegley

Frank Lynch

September 3, 2007

John, it was a pleasure working with you. I appreciated your good counsel and the sense of propriety you brought to your position.

To the Shumate family, John was a wonderful guy and he has left this life far too early; however, his impact on others will live on much longer. I will remember him fondly. You are in my thoughts in prayers.

Tom and Faye King

September 3, 2007

Tom and Faye King join Laura Hart and Bob Feagins in regretting the loss of more time on this earth for and with John Shumate, a special cousin of Laura and Tom and others, the beloved son of Kent and Janey and brother of Patrick, the happy husband of Alison and father of Madeline. We include you all in our prayers for comfort and grace.

Bill Hart

September 2, 2007

John, It was a such a pleasure to have you visit us with Patrick and your cousin Laura in Kansas City the summer of 1987. You were a bright young gentleman always willing to help around the house.
You live on in our memory as a kind and caring young man.

Love,

Bill, Karen, Sarah, and Aaron Hart

Sarah (Cox) Boyer

September 2, 2007

I was so shocked and saddened today to learn of the loss of John. My family had known him since we were both in kindergarten and he was one of the nicest people I have ever met. I have so many fond memories of being his classmate all those years.

Mr. and Mrs. Shumate and Patrick, you are in our thoughts and prayers and Alison, you and your daughter are as well although I have never had the pleasure of meeting you. I am so very sorry for your loss.

Margaret Berryhill

September 2, 2007

I have such beautiful memories of you, John Kent, from our telephone chats during the admissions process upon realizing that we shared the same name, throughout law school and graduation. These precious memories are a gift I will forever carry in my heart.

Margaret Shumate Berryhill
Retired Administrative Assistant
University of Richmond School of Law

Vanessa Roberts

September 2, 2007

John, I remember our first weeks getting to know each other at work and thinking you were a pretentious "know it all". I soon found out that you weren't pretentious, but you did in fact know everything,(big smile). I will forever miss your wit, fantastic sense of humor, dedication to your beliefs and incredible thirst for knowledge all wrapped in your friendship.

To Alison and the Shumate family, words simply cannot express how sorry I am for your loss. May you find peace and strength in his memory and especially within the eyes of young Madeline. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

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