Opinion
01-17-2013
IN RE PASSING OF CHRISTOPHER THOMAS
PER CURIAM
On December 11, 2012, the legal and judicial institutions of this state lost a valued colleague in the untimely death of Chris Thomas at the age of 63. On the sad occasion of his passing, the Arkansas Supreme Court recognizes the life and career of Chris Thomas.
Before coming to work at the Justice Building, Chris served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit and maintained a private law practice. In 1985, he came to this court to serve as the Executive Secretary of the Arkansas Judicial Department, now known as the Administrative Office of the Courts. During his three-year tenure in that position, Chris reorganized the department and set in motion the standards of service available to the Arkansas judiciary today.
In 1988, he was selected to serve as the first Director of the Office of Professional Programs for the Arkansas Supreme Court. In this position, he oversaw the work of the Board of Law Examiners to administer the Arkansas Bar Examination and the procedures governing admission to the Arkansas Bar. He also worked with the Continuing Legal Education Board to manage the requirements of minimum continuing legal education. As the first and only person to serve as the Director of the Office of Professional Programs, Chris leaves to his successor a legacy of dedication and service for the continued success of these programs.
Chris also championed the cause of the Arkansas Judges and Lawyer Assistance Program, which provides mental health and substance-abuse services to Arkansas judges, lawyers, their family members, and law students. For these efforts, Chris was the recipient of the 2012 Robert L. Brown Community Support Award.
Chris will be dearly missed by this court, his colleagues in the Justice Building, the members of the bench and the bar, and his many friends. The Arkansas Supreme Court extends its deepest condolences to his family, especially his wife, Mary, and their children Jenny Anne and Jordan.
To a dear friend and colleague, the Arkansas Supreme Court bids a sad adieu.