February 20, 1967 – October 2, 2026

Kitty Hawk, NC

The sea was never simply where he worked; it was part of who he was. After a lifetime spent on the water, fighting for fishermen, standing up for fisheries, and navigating whatever storms came his way, Francis Duon “Dewey” Hemilright, Jr., crossed his final bar on October 2, 2026, following a courageous battle after a stroke and an extended hospitalization. Dewey succumbed to a series of complications during his recovery.

With his boisterous, outgoing personality and selfless generosity, Dewey never met a stranger and was always ready to make people laugh. He was a beloved pillar of his community, with roots that ran deep throughout the Outer Banks. As a fisherman, Dewey was fierce. As a fisheries advocate, he was relentless. As a friend, he was loyal. He was intelligent, generous, funny, resourceful, steadfast, efficient, witty, and a great cook.