Judge Donald Haddock, center, presides over a ceremony with then-Mayor Bill Euille honoring Judge Nolan Dawkins. Photo by Louise Krafft.
Retired Circuit Court Judge Donald M. Haddock died Dec. 23, 2024, at his Alexandria home. He was 83.“Judge Haddock was a great man. His indomitable spirit will always be in our courthouse.”
— Alexandria Chief JDR Judge Connie Frogale
Retired Alexandria Circuit Court Judge Donald M. Haddock died Dec. 23, 2024, at his Alexandria home. He was 83.
A lifelong Alexandrian, Haddock served on the bench for 27 years prior to his retirement in 2012.
“This is the end of an era for so many of us,” said Chief Judge Connie Frogale of the Alexandria Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. “I will truly miss Judge Haddock’s long wisdom and his quick, gentle wit. I’m glad I appeared before him for so many years and learned so much from him. He was a great model to me of how to judge.”
Born May 8, 1941, Haddock was the son of David Stanford Haddock and Alice May Haddock Gardiner. He was the grandson of Alva and Ada Haddock of Douglas, Georgia, and of Robert and Lula May of Rose Hill Farm, just outside of Alexandria.
Haddock attended Saint Stephen’s & Saint Agnes School and graduated from Episcopal High School in 1959 where he was a member of the Missionary Society. He also played on the football, baseball and wrestling teams.
He went on to receive his undergraduate degree from Princeton University in 1963, his law degree from the University of Virginia in 1966, and his master of law from George Washington University in 1968.
After graduation from law school, he served in the United States Army as a Captain in the Army Materiel Command.
In 1965, he married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Elaine Rodgers. He began his legal career as a sole practitioner and part-time Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney. He next practiced law with the firm of Thomas, Kent, Haddock & Sewell and then again as a sole practitioner.
In 1984, he became a judge on the Alexandria Circuit Court where he served for 27 years, the last 14 as Chief Judge. After retirement, he continued to sit frequently as a substitute judge, totaling over 40 years of service on the bench.
Upon his retirement in 2012, State Del. Charniele Herring sponsored House Resolution 613 to honor Haddock and his years of commitment to justice and public service to the Commonwealth. The resolution noted Haddock’s roles as Virginia Delegate to the National Conference of State Trial Judges of the American Bar Association, as a member of the Boyd-Graves Conference, and as a state judicial leader for the National Judicial College. Haddock also served as a board member for numerous civic, business and charitable organizations, including the Alexandria Jaycees, local chamber of commerce, Alexandria Legal Aid Society, and Alexandria Bar Foundation. He was also a volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America. When not on the bench, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and farming.
Haddock is survived by his wife of 59 years, Joyce Rodgers Haddock; son David Stanford Haddock II, grandsons Alex Haddock and Adam Haddock, and their mother Klara Matouskova; son Donald May Haddock Jr., daughter-in-law Cristina Barbudo and granddaughter Eva May Haddock-Barbudo.
He is also survived by his wife's sisters Joanne Rodgers Jenks and Florine Rodgers Graham as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife's brother Joseph Winfield Rodgers and his wife's sister Betty Rodgers Sherrer.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at First Baptist Church, 2932 King Street, Alexandria, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25. Interment will be private at Ivy Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Episcopal High School, 1200 N. Quaker Lane, Alexandria, Virginia 22302, www.ehsrollcall.org.
“Judge Haddock was a great man,” said Frogale. “His indomitable spirit will always be in our courthouse. I’m so sorry for his family and their loss.”