2025-0165
Title
In Memoriam: Justice Harry Thomas Lemmon
Body
The Parish of St. Charles
IN MEMORIAM
WHEREAS, on April 18, 2025, Almighty God, in His Infinite Wisdom, saw fit to call from amongst us one of His most worthy servants, Justice Harry Thomas Lemmon; and,
WHEREAS, Harry Lemmon was born in Morgan City, LA to Earl and Gertrude Blum Lemmon and was a resident of St. Charles Parish. He was dedicated to his family, his wife of 64 years, Mary Ann Vial Lemmon, a U.S. District Court Judge, and his six children, Andrew, Mary Lauren, Roslyn, Carla, Jake, and Patrick; and,
WHEREAS, Harry Lemmon graduated from Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now the University of Louisiana-Lafayette), and after working as a chemist for four years and serving two years in the United States Army, earned his law degree from Loyola University School of Law where he met his wife, Mary Ann Vial Lemmon; and,
WHEREAS, after only seven years in private practice and having never been a trial judge Harry Lemmon was elected to the Louisiana 4th Circuit Court of Appeal in 1970 where he served until he was elected to the Louisiana Supreme Court in 1980, retiring on May 16, 2001. In addition to his judicial work, he taught law school pro bono at Loyola University, Tulane University, and Louisiana State University; and,
WHEREAS, Harry Lemmon’s wife of 64 years, Mary Ann Vial Lemmon, together, met during their tenure at Loyola University Law School. She was also appointed to many judgeships, such as, the Louisiana District Court, the Louisiana Court of Appeal, and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, where she was nominated by former President Bill Clinton in 1995, and assumed senior status in January 2011; and,
WHEREAS, Justice Lemmon chaired the Ainsworth Lecture Committee, served on the Visiting Committee for Loyola Law School, and co-authored the Louisiana Civil Law Treatise on Civil Procedure; and,
WHEREAS, Justice Lemmon was very active in civic affairs including serving on the Board of Directors of Associated Catholic Charities, the American Judicature Society, and the American Inns of Court. He chaired the Board of Governors of the Louisiana Judicial College and the American Bar Association’s Appellate Judges Education Institute, and served on multiple Louisiana Law Institute committees; and,
WHEREAS, during his lifetime, Justice Lemmon received many honors and awards which included induction into the Morgan City High School Athletic Hall of Fame, Louisiana Bar Foundation’s Distinguished Jurist Award, Loyola Law School St. Ives Award, an honorary degree from LSU, induction into LSU Law Center’s Hall of Fame, honorary membership in LSU’s Order of the Coif, and an honorary Doctor of Laws from Loyola Law School; and,
WHEREAS, while he loved the Constitution and law, his greatest treasures were his six children and thirteen grandchildren. From coaching sports teams to teaching them fishing and swimming. Justice Lemmon was a man of integrity who treated others with respect, and above all else, kindness, known as a man with “a warm heart, a bright mind and an open hand”; and,
WHEREAS, on behalf of all citizens of St. Charles Parish, the Parish Council and the Parish President wish to posthumously honor Justice Harry Thomas Lemmon as an outstanding and dedicated Public Servant of the Parish of St. Charles and the State of Louisiana.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, WE THE MEMBERS OF THE ST. CHARLES PARISH COUNCIL AND THE PARISH PRESIDENT, duly assembled on this 16th day of June, 2025, do hereby express our sincere sympathy to the family of
JUSTICE HARRY THOMAS LEMMON
DECEMBER 11, 1930 - APRIL 18, 2025
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a page in the Official Minute Book of the St. Charles Parish Council be set aside to record this Memoriam and when this Meeting is adjourned, it shall be done in memory of JUSTICE HARRY THOMAS LEMMON
MAY HE REST IN PEACE
“PARISH OF PLENTY”
created in 1807 from the county of the “German Coast”, a parish of
unprecedented economic and social development, known for its
hospitality, rural living and sporting opportunities… with the added
distinction of being located on both sides of the
Mighty Mississippi River.