Don Huffman, a Lexington native and former chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, died on his 98th birthday at his home in Roanoke on Friday, Dec. 5.

Huffman has been credited with being one of the most influential leaders of the modern Republican Party in Virginia. He was party chairman for eight years, 1982 to 1992, a period in which he helped lay the groundwork for the state GOP to become Virginia’s majority party for the first time since Reconstruction. The Cardinal News reported that his eight-year tenure remains the longest in state party history.

Huffman graduated from Lexington High School in 1945. He studied industrial engineering at Virginia Tech, from which he graduated in 1950. While at Tech, he was the battalion commander of the corps of cadets. During 1946 and 1947, he left school to serve in the U.S. Army.

While attending the Washington and Lee University School of Law, he owned and operated the College Town Shop, a men’s clothing store in downtown Lexington. He graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the W&L law school. In 1966, he moved to Roanoke, where he served as U.S. magistrate and as an assistant U.S. attorney. He entered private law practice in 1976 and was a practicing attorney for the next 40 years.

He was a devoted Virginia Tech sports fan, regularly attending football and basketball games. He served on Virginia Tech’s board of visitors for eight years. He loved gardening and landscaping and had a love of birds and native wildflowers. He was a longtime member of Shenandoah Baptist Church.

Donald Wise Huffman was born Dec. 5, 1927, the only child of Thomas Elmer Huffman and Virginia Huffman. His parents and his wife of 65 years, Colleen James Huffman, preceded him in death.

He is survived by two daughters, Terry of Newport News, and Kelly of Roanoke; five grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren.

A graveside service will be held today, Wednesday, Dec. 10, at Oak Grove Cemetery in Lexington. Memorial contributions may be made to Virginia Tech Athletics, c/o Virginia Tech Advancement Division, Office of Gift Accounting, 902 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, VA 24061 with a notation of VT Athletics - Don Huffman.

Arrangements are being handled by Oakey’s Funeral Service, Roanoke chapel.