Luther F. Cole
Luther Francis Cole | |
---|---|
Louisiana State Representative from East Baton Rouge Parish | |
In office 1964–1967 | |
Preceded by | At-large membership: A. T. "Apple" Sanders, Jr. William F. "Bill" Bernhard, Jr. Jack M. Dyer Eugene McGehee |
Succeeded by | Clark Gaudin |
Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court | |
In office 1986–1992 | |
Preceded by | Fred A. Blanche Jr. |
Succeeded by | Catherine D. Kimball |
Personal details | |
Born | Alexandria, Rapides Parish Louisiana, USA | October 25, 1925
Died | July 26, 2013 Baton Rouge, Louisiana | (aged 87)
Cause of death | Undiagnosed ailment |
Resting place | Resthaven Gardens of Memory in Baton Rouge |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Juanita Barton Cole (married 1945-2013, his death) |
Children | Fran Harbour Jeffrey Cole |
Louisiana State University Law Center | |
Occupation | Attorney |
Military service | |
Branch/service | United States Navy |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Luther Francis Cole (October 25, 1925 – July 26, 2013) was an American lawyer and politician from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who served as a state legislator and then as a judge.
Cole was born in
A Democrat, Cole served in the Louisiana House of Representatives during the administration of Governor John McKeithen. His tenure extended only from 1964 until 1967, when he resigned[3] to become a judge of the 19th Judicial District Court. From 1972 to 1973, he was president of the Louisiana District Judges Association.[1] He subsequently served as well on the Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal[2] and the Louisiana Supreme Court, Fifth District seat, to which he was elected on April 5, 1986. With nearly 62 percent of the vote, Cole defeated two opponents, Republican Patsy McDowell Cooper and fellow Democrat C. Alvin Tyler.[4] Cole remained on the Supreme Court until his retirement in 1992; he was succeeded by Catherine D. Kimball,[5] a former chief justice of the court.
Cole was the son of Clem and Catherine Wiley Cole. He was a
Son Jeffrey Cole, a Baton Rouge attorney, noted that his father never planned to serve on the state Supreme Court but ran for the post when the opportunity presented itself. Jeffrey Cole said that his father was instrumental in the establishment of a retirement system for state court judges: "... He was not only a judge, but he was a leader and someone who helped with the entire judicial system in Louisiana. I think he was proud of being a self-made man and the things he was able to accomplish."[6]
References
- ^ a b c "Louisiana: Cole, Luther Francis, Who's Who in American Politics, 2003-2004, 19th ed., Vol. 1 (Alabama-Montana) (Marquis Who's Who: New Providence, New Jersey, 2003), p. 774
- ^ Baton Rouge Morning Advocate. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
- ^ "Membership in the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2012" (PDF). legis.la.gov. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 4, 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
- ^ "Special election returns, April 5, 1986". staticresults.sos.la.gov. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
- ^ "Louisiana election returns, November 3, 1992". staticresults.sos.la.gov. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
- ^ ""Luther Cole, retired justice, WWII veteran dies at 87," July 27, 2013". Baton Rouge Morning Advocate. Archived from the original on August 23, 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2013.