Opinion
04-05-2012
IN MEMORY OF JUSTICE THOMAS GLAZE
PER CURIAM
On March 30, 2012, Honorable Thomas Glaze, who served with distinction on this court from 1987 to 2008, died at the age of 74. Following his retirement from the court, Justice Glaze valiantly battled his declining health and pressed forward to successfully complete his memoir on election reform: Tom Glaze with Ernie Dumas, Waiting for the Cemetery Vote: The Fight to Stop Election Fraud in Arkansas (2011). This was a testament to the courage and determination that marked his life.
The Arkansas Supreme Court joins the citizens of this state in saluting Justice Glaze for a life well lived, a life of service in pursuit of justice. The court extends its deepest condolences to his wife, Phyllis, and the rest of his family.
On this sad occasion, we republish the court's sentiments expressed upon Justice Glaze's retirement. In re Retirement of Justice Thomas Glaze, 374 Ark. App'x 719 (2008):
Upon his retirement from the Supreme Court of Arkansas after twenty-one years of service as associate justice, the court recognizes and expresses appreciation to Justice Tom Glaze for his dedication to public service and in particular to this court. Justice Glaze has made the court's work his first priority and has zealously defended the integrity of this court. Justice Glaze has loved the law and the work of the supreme court, and his institutional memory in our deliberations has kept the court on course.
Born in Missouri, Justice Glaze came to Arkansas to play baseball at the University of Arkansas. He went on to serve his adopted state as an attorney in private practice, as a staff attorney with Pulaski County Legal Aid, and as legal advisor to Governor Winthrop Rockefeller. He also served as the Executive Director of the Election Research Council, Inc., Assistant Attorney General, and Chairman of the Election Laws Institute, Inc. Justice Glaze first went on the bench as a chancery judge for the Sixth Judicial Circuit; he then served as a judge on the Arkansas Court of Appeals until his election to the Arkansas Supreme Court in 1986. As an adjunct professor at the University of Arkansas at Litde Rock Bowen School of Law, Justice Glaze educated countless law students in the subject of family law. He taught his students not only substantive law, but the practical and ethical aspects of practicing law as well.
Justice Glaze is known by his colleagues in the legal community as a defender of those unable to protect themselves. A voice for children and families in need, he was an early proponent of foster care reform in this state. Justice Glaze advocated for the establishment of full-fledged courts for children's issues and has long encouraged the appointment of attorneys ad litem to represent children.
John F. Kennedy said, "Let the public service be a proud and lively career." It has been so for Justice Tom Glaze. To analogize his legal career to the game of baseball, which has always been close to his heart, Tom Glaze pitched a "complete and perfect game." The court-wishes him godspeed in his retirement.
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Ghief Justice Jim Hannah
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Justice Donald L. Corbin
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Justice Jim Gunter
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Justice KarrnBaker
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Justice Robert L. Brown
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Justice Paul E. Danielson
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Justice Courtney Hudson Goddson