James Eppa Hite, Jr.

James Eppa (“Jim”) Hite Jr. died at the age of 101 years on September 10, 2026, in Forest, Virginia. He lived his whole life with hardly any serious illness, and his mind was clear until near the end. He had a long slow decline with a gradual loss of strength. He passed away quietly with his two sons and a hospice nurse at his bedside.

Jim was born on July 25, 1925, to parents Lucile Jones Hite and James Eppa Hite Sr. in Henderson, North Carolina. After entering and completing two years at Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech), he interrupted his studies during World War II to join the United States Navy, where he served as an Electronic Technician's Mate, 3rd Class Petty Officer on the USS Antietam. The Navy took him to the Aleutian Islands, Japan, China, and the Philippines. After the war he returned to Virginia Tech and graduated receiving a BS degree in Electrical Engineering with honors (Tau Beta Pi, Eta Kappa Nu), joining about 5% of Americans with a college degree at that time.

He married Ann McCormick Lucas of Augusta County, Virginia on July 23, 1949, and they raised two sons, James Eppa Hite lll of Santa Cruz, California, and William Lucas Hite of Forest, Virginia. Jim and Ann initially took up residence in Richmond, Virginia. He worked with the C&P Telephone Company for 37 years. During that time, he held management positions and was transferred to Danville, Virginia, Gillette, New Jersey (where he studied at the Bell Laboratories), back to Richmond, and then, in 1974, to Forest, Virginia, where he worked in Lynchburg and Roanoke, Virginia until retiring in 1985.

Jim served with the Bedford County Public Service (Water) Authority from 1985 to 1997. He was a member of the Sons of the Revolution, being a direct descendant of Julius Hite, of Lunenburg County, Virginia, who served as a soldier in the American Revolution. He and Ann were members of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Forest, Virginia. They enjoyed their retirement years with many friends in the Ivy Hill community both on and off the golf course. Over the years Ann and Jim visited 48 states and two territories. In the sixties the family went on two automobile tours of the United States and visited the Bahamas. After retirement Ann and Jim visited many parts of the world, including Mexico several times, the Caribbean several times, various countries of Europe, the United Kingdom twice, Alaska, Nova Scotia, Central and South America several times, Scandinavia, Russia, New Zealand and Australia, China, the Mediterranean, and Hawaii, and took regular visits to Litchfield Beach, South Carolina.

Jim was preceded in death by Ann, his wife of 72 years (who died November 2021), and his younger brother, Charles L. Hite. He is survived by his sons, nephews Land and David Hite, and niece Susan Griffin, all of Charlotte, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a charity of your choice in honor of Jim. Suggested, contributions may be made to one of the following

St. Stephen's Church in Forest, Virginia, 1695 Perrowville Road, Forest, VA 24551

Antioch Cemetery Association, c/o Jimmy Chumney, 5911 South Hill Road, Kenbridge, VA 23944

Interment will be private at Antioch Church cemetery, Lunenburg County, Virginia.