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| In Memoriam |
The FBA and its members remember the friends of the association who may be gone, but not forgotten. We value their service to the community through their work toward justice and hope that this may serve as a tribute to them.In Memoriam Archives: 2021John H. "Jack" Rust, Jr., Esq.
John H. “Jack” Rust, Jr., a/k/a Bepa, passed away peacefully in Fairfax, Virginia on December 30, 2021. His loving wife, Sue, was at his side as she has been for over 50 years. Jack was born on May 21, 1947, to John H. Rust, Sr., and Jean Johnson in Washington, D.C. A lifelong Fairfax resident, Jack attended Fairfax High School then matriculated to the University of Virginia as an Echols Scholar where he received his B.A. and J.D. At the University of Virginia School of Law, Jack served on the board of editors of the Virginia Law Review and was elected to the Order of the Coif. While at the University of Virginia, Jack met the love of his life, Susan Byrne Rust. The two were married in 1970 and settled in Fairfax shortly after Jack graduated from law school. Jack joined the family law firm, Rust & Rust. From 1974 to 1978, Jack served as Fairfax city attorney, as had his father several times before. This tradition of public service continued when, in 1979, Jack was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates where he served until 1982 and then again from 1997 to 2002. In addition to his service in the General Assembly, Jack served terms on the Virginia State Board of Elections and the Virginia Resource Authority. He was also appointed Commissioner of Accounts for the 19th Judicial Circuit of Virginia in February 2006 where he served until 2020. Over the years, Jack was a mentor to innumerable young lawyers, lobbyists, and lawmakers. In addition to sharing his encyclopedic knowledge of the law, Jack showed that an unwavering work ethic, unquestioned integrity, and unrelenting creativity could solve almost any problem. What is more, he demonstrated the importance of treating people with respect, even when you disagree; educating people, without talking down to them; and knowing when to talk quietly and when to bang your desk. In between his thriving law practice and busy schedule of public service, Jack also helped found two different community banks. He was the founding chairman of First Patriot Bankshares Corporation and served on its board from 1987 to 1997. He was also the initial chairman of Cardinal Financial Corporation and served on its board from 1997 to 2009, including time as the board's vice-chairman. What Jack treasured above all was his family. He was the beloved husband of Sue for 51 wonderful years. He was the loving father of J.W. (Danielle), Tom (Caroline), and Bob (Mary Beth); and the proud grandfather of Gracie, Hayden, Ashby, Wyatt, Georgeanne, Brinkley Rose, Huck, and Poppy. A kid at heart, Jack loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. From the basketball court to the fishing boat to the stage; from the Coliseum in Rome to the vast reaches of space (or at least the science fiction section of his library), Jack showed his children and grandchildren the importance of being active in mind, body, and spirit. Jack was a true gentleman who spent much of his life as the smartest guy in the room, whether that be the courtroom, the boardroom, or family room. He will be remembered by those who knew him well for his quick wit, deep generosity, and warm spirit. His family and friends loved him; he will be deeply missed.
Orval Keith Hallam Jr., Esq.
Orval Keith Hallam Jr., Esq., passed away unexpectedly on October 30, 2021 at his home in Fairfax, Virginia. Keith was born into a “Navy Family” on November 07, 1949, in Newport News, Virginia, the son of naval captain Orval Keith Hallam Sr. and school teacher Charlotte Ruth Jones. As a Navy family, Keith moved and lived all over the country including Northern and Southern California, Charleston, South Carolina, New Orleans, Louisiana, Rhode Island and Honolulu, Hawaii.
After Graduating from High School, Keith attended and graduated from Franklin College of Indiana, where he was only one of a few students to graduate with “Distinction” noted on his diploma. Having grown up watching “Perry Mason” Keith’s dream was always to become a lawyer.
After Graduating from College, Keith attended law school at “The International School of Law” in Washington D.C (which merged into Virginia’s George Mason School of Law). Helping to put himself through Law School, Keith worked for several years at various restaurants and bars throughout the Washington, DC area as a waiter, bartender, bouncer, and manager.
During this time, Keith was presented with a once in a lifetime opportunity to move to the Caribbean Island of St. Martin/St. Maarten to design, build, develop and own a Restaurant/Bar in a Marina Complex in the capital town of Philipsburg.
After several years of living and working in the Caribbean, Keith sold his Restaurant/Bar and moved back to the Northern Virginia area. After moving back, Keith Founded and Published an internationally acclaimed travel magazine “Caribbean Travel and Life.” Despite all of this, the dream of being a lawyer never wavered. Keith entered into and completed the Virginia State Bar “Law Reader” program and subsequently passed the Virginia Bar Exam, becoming licensed as a Virginia Lawyer in 1986.
He is survived by his wife Bich Phuong Thi Hoang, his two sons, Orval Keith Hallam, III and Michel Hallam, and his 5 Grandchildren, Olivia Maria Hallam, George Keith Hallam, Julian Nicholas Hallam, Charlene Maria Hallam, and Landon Hamilton Hallam.
Joyce M. Henry-Schargorodski, Esq.
Joyce M. Henry-Schargorodski, Esq. passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family on October 18, 2021 at the age of 72.
Exequiel "Zeke" R. Sevilla, Jr., Esq.
Exequiel "Zeke" R. Sevilla, Jr., Esq., died on Saturday, October 16, 2021. He is survived by his wife of 64 years Leticia T. Sevilla, and his children, Maria Christina Sevilla, Sylvia W. Sevilla, and Eduardo R. Sevilla. He loved his family, his country, and the U.S. Army.
The Honorable Thomas Anthony Fortkort
The Honorable Thomas Anthony Fortkort, 87, died October 9, 2021 at his home in Vienna, Virginia. He was born April 2, 1934 in Buffalo, New York to Albert John Fortkort and his wife, Mary Veronica O’Donnell Fortkort. He attended high school at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute and later graduated in 1955 with a BS in Mathematics from St. Bonaventure University. He earned a J.D. from Georgetown University Law School in 1962. From 1967-1971, Fortkort worked in the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office in Fairfax, Virginia before opening his own law practice, Fortkort, Moshos and Davis. He was elected by the Virginia General Assembly as Judge to the Virginia Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Nineteenth Judicial District in 1977. He was later appointed Chief Judge of the court and served in that capacity from 1981-1985, when he was appointed to the Virginia Circuit Court Nineteenth Judicial Circuit. Fortkort retired from the Circuit Court in 1996, but continued to serve as a substitute judge over the next ten years. As a member of the American Arbitration Association, he worked for the US Copyright Office, serving on panels that oversaw the setting of royalty rates. In 2015, the Fairfax Bar Association honored him for 50 years of service as a lawyer, a Commonwealth Attorney, and a judge.
Tom was an avid golfer, fisherman and triathlete. In his later years, he participated in several major triathlons and marathons, including in Key West and Hawaii. He was a member of the Army-Navy Country Club and Hidden Creek Country Club in Reston, Virginia. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Irish Cultural Society, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and the Fairfax County Soccer Association.
Tom Fortkort married Deanna Mae Andry in 1958. They celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary shortly before her death in 2008. He is survived by his four children, Mary Brancaccio, Michael Fortkort, Peter Fortkort and John Fortkort; his sisters, Sister Maura Fortkort, OSF and Sister Nancy Fortkort, OSF; eighteen grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
James "Beau" C. Brincefield, Jr., Esq. For those who would like to donate to the Sadie Banks Brown Scholarship Fund checks may be mailed to: The Community Foundation; 541 Loyal Street, Danville, VA 24541. Make checks payable to The Community Foundation and note “Sadie Banks Brown Memorial Scholarship” on memo line or on the enclosed note.
We are saddened to announce that Richard E. Dixon, Esquire, of Clifton, Virginia passed away on July 12, 2021. Dick served his country with honor in the United States Marine Corps, and was a graduate of Duke University and the University of Virginia School of Law, Class of 1959. He practiced law in Northern Virginia for many years, beginning in Arlington, and was a principal in several Fairfax firms, Dixon & Horan, Dixon & Smith, and finally managing partnerof Dixon, Smith & Stahl. Dick was a founding member of the Construction Law and Public Contracts section of the Virginia State Bar, and served as its first chairman, beginning in 1979. He was a frequent speaker at CLE programs, published numerous articles on construction law, and was also a published author on American History. Dick also served as an arbitrator of commercial and construction disputes, after retirement from active practice, as well as President of the Thomas Jefferson Heritage Society. He was well respected by his friends, colleagues and clients. He is survived by his wife Trudy, four children, and nine grandchildren.
E. Blair Brown, Esq.
Kathleen Anne Brown of Falls Church, Virginia, died on March 7, 2021 at the age of 78. She was predeceased by parents John and Anne Stemnock, sister Suzanne, and brother Tom. She grew up in South Bend, Indiana, graduated from Catholic University in 1964, and ultimately followed her ambition to become an attorney. In 1980, she received her law degree from American University, Washington D.C., and practiced law in Virginia for over 40 years until the time of her death. She is remembered for her zest for life, love of family, sense of humor, generosity, compassion, and courage. She was a voracious reader and enjoyed puzzles, cooking, and learning something new every day. She treasured spending time with dear family and friends. She is survived by her children, daughter Jennifer (Scott) Henke, daughter Suzanne (Tony) Paletti, son Michael (Bonnie) Brown, and six grandchildren, Katherine, Elizabeth, Faith, John, Alexander, and Megan. |