Fitzhugh Elder, Jr

FITZHUGH ELDER, JR. STAUNTON, VA Fitzhugh Elder, Jr., retired lawyer and banker died June 5, 2015. Mr. Elder was born in Staunton on 29 January 1917, the son of the late Fitzhugh Elder and Sophie (Luttgen) Elder. Like his father and grandfather before him, he studied law at the University of Virginia and practiced in Staunton. He was a typical lawyer of the old school and well versed in the traditions of the profession. He served as Commonwealth's Attorney for the City of Staunton from 1945 through 1963. He was vice-president of the Virginia Bar Association in 1953, a member of the Council of the Virginia State Bar from 1956 to 1959 and served as chairman of the Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee. He received an award commemorating 50 years of service to the Virginia State Bar and was a founding member of the University of Virginia Lile Law Society. He was president of the Augusta County Bar Association in 1967. As president of the Augusta National Bank of Staunton, he was instrumental in molding the affiliation with the First and Merchants National Bank of Richmond in 1962. He was a director on the Corporate Board of First and Merchants for eighteen years and chairman of the Staunton Regional Board for twenty-five years. Subsequently, First and Merchants Bank became part of what is now known as Bank of America. While at the University of Virginia, Mr. Elder was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. He was a hereditary member of the Society of the Cincinnati in the state of Virginia, the Jamestown Society, the Virginia Historical Society, and because of his interest in history and genealogy was active in the formation of the Augusta Historical Society. He was a Kiwanian for over sixty-five years and president of the Staunton Kiwanis Club in 1947. He was also awarded the Kiwanis International Hixson Award from the Staunton Kiwanis Club. He belonged to a family of which the members have been communicants of the Episcopal Church for generations, and has from time to time served on the Vestry of Trinity Church and as its Treasurer. Mr. Elder was preceded in death by his wife, Genevieve B. Elder. He is survived by his two children, Elaine Elder King McCarrick and Fitzhugh Elder III. He is also survived by five grandchildren, George Shields King, Jr., John Fitzhugh King, Lock Elder Saunders, Fitzhugh Elder IV, Logan Elder Kastner, and thirteen great grandchildren. A graveside service will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, June 13, 2015, in Thornrose Cemetery by Rev. Dr. Paul Nancarrow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hospice of the Shenandoah, P.O. Box 215, Fishersville, Virginia 22939. Henry Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.