Richard Thomas Hite

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Richard Thomas Hite of his beloved Kenbridge, Virginia. He was the son of John Richard Hite, Jr. and Virginia Lee Bacon Hite. Ever the businessman in thought, word and deed, “Lucky,” his hunt club handle, departed this life on June 20, 2026. Tommy, as he was known by everyone including his 10 grandchildren, was 79-years-old. He graduated in 1969 with a BS degree from University of Richmond, where he participated in the ROTC program and was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia for a period of time after college. He played on the golf team at University of Richmond with men who became lifelong friends. He graduated from VCU in 1971 with a MBA. He used his business skills in his tobacco and cattle farming operation and in the purchase of many acres of land in Lunenburg County and surrounding counties. He was also a real estate broker and established Hite Realty, in which his sons participated. Hite also was a former member of the Lunenburg County Planning Commission and a former gubernatorial appointee to the Virginia Tobacco Commission. Tommy Hite was a modest man, living and dying in the home built by him and his wife Carolyn in 1974. It’s where they raised their family and lived until his death Saturday evening during Father’s Day weekend. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carolyn Hubbard Hite; four sons, Richard (Mindy), John (Kristin), Steven (Allison), and David; 10 precious grandchildren, Robert, Parker, Audrey, Benjamin, Mary Katelyn, Janie, Lauren, Hylton, Spencer, Virginia; and his brother, John Hite (Louise) of Kingwood, Texas. Tommy was an avid deer hunter, a lifelong member of the Old Timer Hunt Club with many trophy bucks mounted in his home. He was a mighty good golfer for many years, winning numerous club championships and other tournaments throughout Southside Virginia including two Men’s Southside Golf Tournaments in 1968 and; 1972. Tommy will be remembered as a fair and ethical man -- a man who enjoyed life and accepted what it offered with dignity even when his health declined. He was loved and a man who had the backs of many, especially his family and friends. His unexpected death Saturday night came where his heart was -- home on 5th Avenue – and at peace. The former Southside Men’s Golf Champion and Lunenburg Country Club champion must have been smiling from above as sons and grandsons did what Tommy would insist they do -- compete Sunday in the final round of Lunenburg Country Club’s Club Championship. Occasional tears fell as Tommy’s proud descendants soldiered on, playing in loving memory of the man who gave them -- and his community – so much. Funeral services will be held 11AM Monday, June 29, 2026 at the Kenbridge United Methodist Church. Interment to follow at the Kenbridge Heights Cemetery. The family will receive friends at all times at the home. In lie of flowers please consider memorial donations to the Kenbridge United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 926, Kenbridge, Va. 23944 or to Lunenburg Health Services, P.O. Box 1421, Victoria, Va. 23974. Clarke Funeral Home, Kenbridge, is assisting with arrangements.