ACCOMACK COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) — The father of former Gov. Ralph Northam has died.

Wescott B. Northam, 100, died Friday, Feb. 7 in Accomac. Born in Modest Town, Va., he was the son of the late Thomas Long Northam and Ida May Brownlee Northam and served as the Accomack County Commonwealth’s Attorney from 1963 to 1975, and was a judge in the General District Court and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court for the Eastern Shore from 1978 until 1990.
Known as “Judge” to family and friends, Wescott B. Northam graduated from Accomack High School and attended Randolph Macon Military Academy for one year before pursuing his undergraduate and law studies at the University of Virginia.
During World War II, Wescott B. Northam served as a United States Navy officer in the Pacific Theater. After law school, Northam worked in the patent department for Westinghouse in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and later as a patent lawyer in Washington, D.C., before returning to the Eastern Shore in 1958 to start his law practice.
Northam was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Nancy S. Northam.
Ralph Northam credited his father and mother with instilling values in him that guide him today.
Wescott B. Northam is survived by his sons, Thomas L. Northam and his wife Billie and Ralph S. Northam and his wife Pam, as well as grandchildren Kathleen Kraft Mortensen, Travis W. Northam, Weston T. Northam and Aubrey E. Northam.
A lifelong boating enthusiast, Wescott B. Northam often expressed, “When I’m on my boat, I am already where I want to be,” and would wish his family and friends, “Have fair winds and following seas.”
In accordance with Wescott B. Northam’s wishes, there will be no funeral service.