Sept. 26, 2007
Joe Morris Law, 76, Old Dominion University's first full-time SportsInformation Director from 1972-79 passed away Sept. 24, 2007.
Born in House, N.M., he was the son of the late Joe M. Sr. and Alma Law and was predeceased by his son, Mark Kevin Law. Mr. Law had a distinguished naval career serving in the U.S. Navy from 1950 to 1971, retiring as a master chief journalist. His thorough grasp of the intricacies of the discipline of public affairs, his energy and unfailing tact and sense of humor always prevailed for the benefit of the command and the Navy.
After retiring from the Navy, Joe was the sports information director at Old Dominion University and later the public affairs officer at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for 14 years.
Joe served on various CoSIDA (College Sports Information Director's of America)committees, and his publications also won awards from the organization. A tireless worker, Joe was a mentor to many in the fieldof sports media relations. He also started much of the athletic photography and record keeping. Joe played a major part in the ODUSports Hall of Fame and remained on the committee until 2005.
Joe also served on various community groups and organizations, including, Norfolk Historical Society, Great Bridge Battlefield and Waterways Foundation, a past chairman for the United Way, past president of the National Communicator's Association. Joe was a Mason and member of the Khedive Shrine Temple. He also served on the board at the Healthcare Foundation at Chesapeake General Hospital.
A member of Great Bridge Presbyterian Church, he served on various committees. Survivors include his loving wife, Phyllis I. Law of Chesapeake; a daughter, Karen Downey of Murfreesboro, N.C.; three stepchildren, Kevin and Todd Schulrud of West Virginia and Kimberly Schulrud-Grossmann of Hawaii; two granddaughters, Ivy Lieberman of Tampa, Fla., and Meghan Grossmann of Hawaii; two grandsons, Trevor Law of Virginia Beach and Kort Grossmann of Hawaii; two great-grandsons, Ben and Gabe Lieberman of Tampa, Fla.; two brothers, Delman Law of Texas and Jack Law of West Virginia; and a nephew, Larry Law of Norfolk. A memorial service will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Great Bridge Presbyterian Church, 333 Cedar Road, Chesapeake. Dr. Ralph Herbert will officiate. The family will receive friends following the service at a reception in the church social hall. The family wishes to thank the staff and caregivers of Cedar Manor and Chesapeake Regional Medical Center for the kindness and compassion shown to Joe throughout his illness.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Parkinson's Disease Foundation or www.parkinson.org. Friends are invited to sign the online guest book at www.omanfh