Thomas Early
| Thomas Anthony Early, Jr. | |
 | |
Louisiana State Representative for current District 24 (Orleans Parish)
| |
| In office May 1964 – 1969 | |
| Succeeded by | Ben Bagert, Jr. |
|---|---|
Judge of the Orleans Parish Civil District Court
| |
| In office 1969 – Not available | |
| Born | June 10, 1931 New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Died | October 30, 2018 (aged 87) New Orleans Resting place: |
| Political party | Democrat |
| Spouse(s) | Betty Franek Early (married c. 1954-2002, her death) |
| Children | Amy E. Korte Sean Patrick Early (deceased) |
| Alma mater | Jesuit High School in New Orleans Georgetown University |
| Occupation | Lawyer United States Army (1954-1956) |
Military Service
| |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Battles/wars | Cold War
(stationed in Mainz, Germany) |
Thomas Anthony Early, Jr., (June 10, 1931 – October 30, 2018), was an attorney and thoroughbred horse breeder in his native New Orleans, Louisiana who in 1964 was elected as a state representative for District 24[1] encompassing the popular tourist destination the French Quarter, as well as Treme and Bayou St. John. In 1969, he was appointed by then Governor John J. McKeithen to serve as a Judge on the Orleans Parish Civil District Court. He was then elected to the bench and served four terms, having never lost an election in his political career.[2]
Contents
Background
Early was the youngest of eight children born to Thomas Early, Sr., and the former Rose Parillo. He graduated in 1950 from the Roman Catholic Jesuit High School in New Orleans. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1954 from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.. He was the student body president in both high school and college.[2]
Career
After graduation, he served as a First Lieutenant in the 42nd Army Infantry Battalion, stationed in Mainz, Germany from 1954 to 1956. After returning to New Orleans, he taught English and coached the debate team at Holy Cross High School. He obtained a Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola University School of Law in New Orleans and practiced thereafter with the firm of Hooper, Schmidt, and Early. He also owned Triple E. Farm in Covington in suburban St. Tammany Parish, at which he owned, bred, and raced horses.[2]
Personal life
He was married to the former Betty Franek, who died in 2002. His three children are Amy Early Korte (husband Rick), former New Orleans Municipal Judge Sean P. Early (1957-2024) (wife Janey)[3], and Erin Early Belleau (husband Chris). He died in New Orleans after a one-month illness and is interred at Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans.[2]
He was also an avid fan of all sports, particularly baseball. He had a strong belief in and respect for learning and academics which he instilled and fostered in his children and grandchildren. His quick wit, sage advice, humor, and booming voice are sorely missed by his family and all those he helped over the course of his life. According to his obituary, Judge Early was a champion for the cause of all working people.[2]
References
- ↑ Membership in the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2020. House.louisiana.gov. Retrieved on August 25, 2024.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Thomas A. Early, Jr., obituary. The New Orleans Times-Picayune. Retrieved on August 25, 2024.
- ↑ Sean Early Obituary (2024) - New Orleans, LA - The Times-Picayune (legacy.com), accessed August 25, 2024.
