J. Edgar Pointer Jr., 92, of Williamsburg, passed away on Feb. 12, 2015.
Edgar was a prominent Gloucester attorney for 50 years. Edgar was born in Bena, Va., to James Edgar Pointer Sr. and Lillie Minor Pointer. He graduated from Achilles High School in 1939 and carried the nickname, “Bullet.” He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from William and Mary in 1943, served in U.S. Navy as 2nd Lieutenant in World War II aboard an LST, then back to William and Mary where he received a Bachelor of Juris Doctor Degree in 1949.
He opened private law practice in 1949 that he served until 1999, serving as Commonwealth’s Attorney for several years during the fifties and sixties. Edgar was devoted to public service and making Gloucester County a better community for all people.
He served as an organizer of Abingdon Fire Department at Bena, the first Director of Sanders Nursing Home, founding board member of Rappahannock Community College, and director of the Bank of Gloucester from 1953 until he retired from Crestar 40 years later. He was a member of Gloucester Chamber of Commerce and he received the Business Person of the Year award in 1997. Edgar was the first chairman of the board of Riverside Walter Reed Hospital and served from 1977 to 2006.
Known for his honesty, integrity and dedication to public service, Edgar Pointer Jr. had a lighter side. He always enjoyed being in a crowd, playing jokes, and entertaining. He possessed a large collection of mechanical toys that he used to entertain guests when and wherever possible. As a public speaker he was known for his sense of humor and quick wit.
Edgar enjoyed tennis and golf, both of which he learned after age 50. He was the envy of younger persons who were not as fit as he.
He was preceded in death by the wife of his first marriage, Catherine Jones Pointer, and wife of his second marriage, Joanne Van Gieson Pointer.
He is survived by sons, James E. Pointer III (Leslie) and Steven D. Pointer (Peggy), and granddaughters, Justine C. Pointer and Andrea T. Pointer; stepdaughters, Kathie Dalton, Sheridan Reese, stepson Hank Van Gieson (Brenda). Also, he is survived by his most dear sister, Marian P. Clements (W.F.) and her sons, nephews, D. Meade Porter and J. Bradley Porter.
The family would especially like to thank Edgar’s devoted and loving caregivers, Vernita Brown and Henrean Burrell and the team from Riverside Private Home Health, for the exceptional care he received during the past few years.
A Celebration of Life service was held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015, at Hogg Funeral Home, Gloucester Point. Inurnment will be private.
In Edgar’s memory, the family asks that donations be made to Abingdon Volunteer Fire and Rescue, P.O. Box 9, Bena, Va. 23018 or Abingdon Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 82, White Marsh, Va. 23183, the Heritage Humane Society, 430 Waller Mill Road, Williamsburg, Va. 23185 or the charity of choice in lieu of flowers.
Family and friends may share condolences online at www.hoggfh.com.