SALEM, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – A shaper of Virginia’s judiciary system, former Virginia Supreme Court Justice Lawrence Koontz, has passed away at age 85. A Roanoke Valley native and University of Richmond law grad, Koontz served on every court level and was a co-founder of the Virginia Court of Appeals where he became the second chief judge and crafted many of its policies and procedures. One of the longest serving Supreme Court justices ever, Koontz served 16 years as an active Justice and another 13 as Senior Justice.

The Virginia Mountain/Valley Lawyers Alliance noted his passing Sunday in Salem. A Wednesday celebration of life will be March 19 at Salem Presbyterian Church.  Click here for his obit.