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Retired Alexandria Circuit Court Judge Donald M. Haddock, whose judicial career spanned more than four decades, died Dec. 23, 2024, at his Alexandria home. He was 83.
A lifelong Alexandrian, Haddock joined the Circuit Court in 1984 and served there for 27 years, including 14 years as chief judge. After retiring in 2012, he frequently returned as a substitute judge.
“This is the end of an era for so many of us,” said Connie Frogale, chief judge of the Alexandria Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. She remembered Haddock for his wisdom, gentle wit and example on the bench.
Born May 8, 1941, Haddock was the son of David Stanford Haddock and Alice May Haddock Gardiner. His grandparents were Alva and Ada Haddock of Douglas, Georgia, and Robert and Lula May of Rose Hill Farm outside Alexandria.
Haddock attended Saint Stephen’s & Saint Agnes School before graduating from Episcopal High School in 1959. There, he belonged to the Missionary Society and competed in football, baseball and wrestling.
He earned an undergraduate degree from Princeton University in 1963, a law degree from the University of Virginia in 1966 and a master of law degree from George Washington University in 1968. Following law school, he served as a captain in the U.S. Army Materiel Command.
Haddock married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Elaine Rodgers, in 1965. He began his legal career as a sole practitioner and part-time assistant commonwealth’s attorney. He later worked with Thomas, Kent, Haddock & Sewell before returning to solo practice.
His service extended beyond the courtroom. State Del. Charniele Herring sponsored House Resolution 613 upon his retirement, recognizing his dedication to justice and public service in Virginia.
Haddock served as Virginia’s delegate to the American Bar Association’s National Conference of State Trial Judges, participated in the Boyd-Graves Conference and worked as a state judicial leader for the National Judicial College.
He also sat on the boards of civic, business and charitable organizations, including the Alexandria Jaycees, the local chamber of commerce, the Alexandria Legal Aid Society and the Alexandria Bar Foundation. He volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America and enjoyed hunting, fishing and farming.
Haddock is survived by Joyce, his wife of 59 years; his son David Stanford Haddock II; grandsons Alex and Adam Haddock and their mother, Klara Matouskova; and his son Donald May Haddock Jr., daughter-in-law Cristina Barbudo and granddaughter Eva May Haddock-Barbudo.
Other survivors include his wife’s sisters, Joanne Rodgers Jenks and Florine Rodgers Graham, along with many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife’s brother, Joseph Winfield Rodgers, and sister, Betty Rodgers Sherrer.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at First Baptist Church, 2932 King Street in Alexandria. A private interment will take place at Ivy Hill Cemetery.
Memorial gifts may be made in place of flowers to Episcopal High School, 1200 N. Quaker Lane, Alexandria, Virginia 22302.
“Judge Haddock was a great man,” Frogale said. “His indomitable spirit will always be in our courthouse.”