HomeMy WebLinkAboutJOHN H RUFFIN JR CONDOLENCES
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Resolution of Condolences
WHEREAS, Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr., affectionately known by many of his friends and colleagues as "Jack" was born in
Waynesboro, Georgia in 1934 to John H. Ruffin, Sr. and Anna Davis Ruffin; and
WHEREAS, Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr., graduated from the Waynesboro High and Industrial School, Morehouse College, where
he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, and Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C., where he
earned his law degree; and
WHEREAS, Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr. enjoyed a long and distinguished legal career, having become the 62nd Judge of the Court
of Appeals of Georgia on August 24, 1994 and served as the court's chief judge in 2005 and 2006, after 33 years ofpracticing
law and serving on the Superior Court bench of the Augusta Judicial Circuit from 1986 to 1994; and
WHEREAS, in addition to being the first African-American Superior Court Judge for the Augusta Judicial Circuit, Judge Ruffin
was also the first African-American member of the Augusta Bar Association, and the third African-American and first African-
American Chief Judge to serve on the Court of Appeals of Georgia, and the first African-American barrister to have his likeness
displayed in the Waynesboro courthouse; and
WHEREAS, Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr. was a member of many professional, civic and religious affiliations, including: a member
of the Tabernacle Baptist Church, Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia; Council of Juvenile Court Judges of Georgia;
Tenth Judicial Administrative District; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Institute of Continuing Judicial Education; Georgia
Commission on Gender Bias; Court Reform Committee, Governor's Conference on Justice in Georgia; Georgia Association of
Criminal Defense Lawyers; Georgia Advisory Council to the Legal Services Program; Judicial Nominating Commission; Georgia
Conference of Black Lawyers, Inc.; State Bar Judicial Compensation Committee; American Judicature Society; National Bar
Association; American Bar Association; Augusta Bar Association; and the Atlanta Bar Association; and
WHEREAS, the Augusta Commission honored Judge Ruffin by naming the new judicial center the Augusta Judicial Center
John H. Ruffin, Jr. Courthouse for his diligent and conscientious devotion of innumerable hours of his time, talents, and energy
toward the betterment of his community and this state as evidenced dramatically by his many years of superlative service as a
Judge of the Court of Appeals of Georgia and as a Judge of the Superior Court of the Augusta Judicial Circuit; and
WHEREAS, the family, friends, and colleagues of Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr., who some called " a courageous and honorable
man, with a wonderfully dry sense of humor", which was exemplified through his leadership and demonstrated through his
tireless devotion that they may always remember and never, ever forget his love, concern and commitment for each of them, as he
shall forever live in their hearts; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOL VBD that it is with our sincere care and concern that we, the Augusta Commission of Richmond
County, Georgia, send these humble words expressing our heartfelt sympathy. May you find comfort in knowing that others care
and share your loss.
BE IT FURTHER RESOL VBD, that a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to the family and friends of Judge John H. Ruffin,
Jr., this 2nd day of February, in the year of our Lord, 2010.
AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY, GEORGIA
By:
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David S. Copenha~er, As its Mayor
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