Mr. Stephen Kellam Fox was born on the family farm in Cobbs Station, on Feb. 4, 1949, a son to the late Cavanaugh Clemmons and Constance Press Fox. He attended Northampton County High School, graduating in 1967. He was awarded a full academic scholarship to Virginia Tech and received his Bachelor of Science degree in finance in 1971. Steve entered law school at George Washington University and received his Juris Doctor in 1975.
Steve began his legal career as an associate at Lewis Mitchell & Moore in Northern Virginia. In 1977, he joined the commonwealth’s attorney office where he prosecuted felony crimes before the general district and circuit courts of Fairfax County. In 1978, Steve became an assistant county attorney for Fairfax County, representing the Board of Supervisors and its agencies. Steve entered private practice in 1980, focusing on criminal defense, general and commercial, civil, and land use litigation. He was a partner at Miles & Stockbridge, the predecessor to McCandlish & Lillard. Steve spent the last 20 years of his career as a solo practitioner in Fairfax and then in semi-retirement on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
Steve was an active member of the Fairfax Bar Association, serving on the 10th District Grievance Committee and the Judicial Screening and Professionalism Committee. He served on several boards including Sunrise Federal Savings & Loan, Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, and Legal Services of Northern Virginia. He was a commissioner for Fairfax Redevelopment and Housing Authority and on the Board of Governors of the Virginia State Bar Litigation Section. Steve established the Northampton County High School Alumni Association Foundation and served as its president for 25 years.
Steve was a gentleman and a gentle man. He made friends wherever he went. It was typical for Steve to run into a friend or acquaintance in the most unusual places, like Heathrow Airport or a busy restaurant in Washington, D.C. He stood out, not because of his height, but because of his infectious smile. He was a teacher and a mentor to young colleagues and not so young colleagues. He was a patient and loving father to his son and “the three kids I picked up in the draft.” Steve loved music, food, entertaining family and friends, and scotch with a big ice cube. He loved his life on the Eastern Shore.
Steve is survived by his wife, Catherine; and sons, Stephen (Tisa), Daniel (Stefanie), Matthew and daughter Megan (Miguel). He was a loving Grandpa to Fiona, Santiago, Alexander, and Francisco. He is also survived by his sisters, Constance (Stanley) and Andrea; brother, Lloyd (Grace); and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews. He will be sorely missed.
