John Van Metre Jr., retired attorney

John “Lee” Van Metre Jr., 84, of Lewes, and formerly of Martinsburg, W.Va., passed away Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes. He was born Feb. 6, 1938, in Baltimore, Md., son of the late Dr. John Lee Van Metre Sr. and June Keene (Roth) Van Metre.

Lee grew up in Charles Town, W.Va., and was a graduate of Randolph Macon Academy in Front Royal, Va. In 1959, he graduated from Duke University, earning his bachelor’s degree in history. He went on to pursue a law degree and in 1962, he graduated from George Washington University School of Law. In 1966, he married the love of his life, Sally Quinn Dunn, in Winchester, Va., and the two would spend the next 56 years creating a beautiful life and family together. They were members of Trinity Episcopal Church in Martinsburg.

Lee started his career as a bank examiner for the U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of the Comptroller. He then went into private practice in Martinsburg as a business and real estate attorney with the firm of Avey and Steptoe, which later merged with Steptoe and Johnson, enjoying a 40-year career that was both challenging and fulfilling. He served on Steptoe & Johnson’s executive committee and was the managing member of the Martinsburg office. Lee lived an active lifestyle and enjoyed hunting, tennis, golf, fishing, reading, and watching sports, especially football and college basketball. He was an enthusiastic fan of his alma mater, Duke, and he loved cheering on his beloved Washington Commanders football team. Lee spent summers as a child vacationing in Rehoboth Beach, a tradition which he continued throughout his life and into retirement in 2003 when he and Sally moved to Lewes to be closer to paradise.

Lee believed in giving back to his community and proudly served in the Rotary Club, as chairman of the Gateway Foundation golf tournament, and on the board of directors of both Martinsburg-Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Berkeley and Morgan Counties (now the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle), where for many years he led the Lawyers Division of the United Way annual campaign. He was a member of the Tuscarora Kurnals and the Exhausted Roosters. He was active in banking in Martinsburg, serving as chairman and interim CEO of Citizens National Bank, and on the board of directors of One Valley Bank and BB&T Bank. His devotion to his family and friends, however, took precedence above all and the time spent with those he held dear was what he cherished most. Lee was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend who will be deeply missed by all who had the good fortune to know him. After his passing, his family has heard from many how Lee was one of their favorites.

Lee is survived by his beloved wife, Sally Van Metre; his son, J. Patrick Van Metre and wife Jenni of Vienna, Va.; his granddaughter, Elizabeth M. Van Metre of Vienna; his sister, Nancy V. Boozer of Milton; his brother, David R. Van Metre of Dumfries, Va.; and his numerous nieces and nephews. 

An open house reception in celebration of Lee’s life will be held from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 5, at Fish On, 17300 Village Main Blvd., Lewes. Interment will be at Elmwood Cemetery in Shepherdstown, W.Va., at a future date.

Final care has been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.

Visit Mr. Van Metre’s Life Memorial webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.