Judge Mack Elwin Barham's Obituary
Justice Mack Elwin Barham on Monday November 27, 2006 at St. Tammany Parish Hospital following a long illness.
Barham is survived by his wife, Ann; his son, Lake Charles lawyer Bret Barham; his daughter, Megan Richardson of Covington; a sister, Ertie Mae Bowdon of Birmingham, AL, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. His parents were late Henry A. and Lockie H. Barham of Bastrop, who owned Barham’s Dairy.
Barham, age 82, a Bastrop native, had relocated to Covington after Hurricane Katrina floodwaters destroyed his Lakewood home located near the 17th Street Canal in New Orleans.
After attending the University of Colorado, he entered LSU Law Center and was admitted to the Bar in 1946. Two years later, at the age of 24, he was elected city judge of Bastrop serving for 14 years. In 1962, he was elected to the 4th Judicial District Court bench. He served on the state Supreme Court from 1968 to 1975.
When Barham joined the state Supreme Court, he and late Judge Al Tate formed a coalition that led to a 4-3 majority of younger judges who began implementing U.S. Supreme Court civil rights decisions.
After leaving the court, Barham went into the private practice of law in New Orleans, specializing in an appellate practice, administrative law, expropriation, environmental law and commercial litigation.
“Mack Barham set the bar for integrity, ability and intellectual capability on the state Supreme court,” Robert Barham said. “He was always a gentleman and an inspiration to anyone connected with the legal profession.”
Barham was a member of the Order of the Coif, Omicron Delta Kappa, Blue Key, Phi Alpha Delta, Phi Delta Phi, and authored numerous legal scholarly articles. He also taught at Tulane Law School.
Friends may join the family for a time of visitation on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 from 3:00 – 5:00 PM at the Lakelawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70179. In lieu of flowers, LSU Foundation c/o LSU Law Center, Mack Barham Fund, Suite 400 Alumni Office, Baton Rouge, LA 70803. Sign guestbook online www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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