James N. Bloodworth
James N. Bloodworth | |
---|---|
Justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama | |
In office 1968–1980 | |
Preceded by | John P. Kohn |
Succeeded by | Oscar W. Adams Jr. |
Personal details | |
Born | James Nelson Bloodworth January 21, 1921 Decatur, Alabama, U.S. |
Died | December 28, 1980 Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. | (aged 59)
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Jean Gregg |
Children | 3 |
Education | University of Alabama (BS) University of Alabama School of Law (LLB) |
Profession | Judge |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Army |
Rank | Lieutenant colonel |
Battles/wars | World War II |
James Nelson Bloodworth (January 21, 1921 – December 28, 1980) was a justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama from 1968 to 1980.
Early life, education, and career
[edit]Born in Decatur, Alabama, Bloodworth received a B.S. from the University of Alabama School of Commerce and Business Administration in 1942, and entered the United States Army the following year,[1] serving in World War II.[2] He received an LL.B. from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1947.[1][2] Bloodworth began the practice of law in Decatur, working in that field for eleven years, and also serving on the state Board of Pardons, and as a judge of the Decatur Recorder's Court from 1948 to 1951.[1][2] Bloodworth remained in the U.S. Army Reserve following his military service, ultimately retiring from service as a lieutenant colonel.[1]
Judicial service
[edit]In 1958, Bloodworth was elected as a circuit judge of the Alabama Eighth Judicial Circuit, and was reelected to that position in 1964.[1][2] In November 1968, he ran for a seat on the Alabama Supreme Court vacated by the death of John L. Goodwyn,[1][2] the seat having been filled in the interim by the appointment of John P. Kohn. In support of his candidacy, Bloodworth "visited every courthouse in the state".[2] After winning the nomination of the Democratic Party, he was unopposed in the general election.[3] He was reelected to a full term in 1970, and again in 1976, but retired from the bench in September 1980 due to health problems.[1][2]
Personal life and death
[edit]James Nelson Bloodworth married Jean Gregg of Decatur,[2] with whom he had three daughters, all of whom survived him.[1]
Bloodworth died three months later in a hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, at the age of 59.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Retired justice Bloodworth dies", The Montgomery Advertiser (December 29, 1980), p. 2.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "James Nelson Bloodworth: Associate Justice - 1968-1980" (PDF). Judiciary of Alabama. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
- ^ "Bloodworth Sworn In As Justice", The Montgomery Advertiser (November 16, 1968), p. 1.