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In Memoriam
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Leon Burrow of Blytheville died May 15, 2021, at the age of 85. He graduated from McCallie Preparatory School in Chattanooga, Lambuth University and Vanderbilt Law School. He was a former deputy prosecutor and practiced law in Blytheville until his death. He was past president of the Blytheville Bar Association and the Mississippi County Bar Association.
Jesse Lee McCombs of Lowell died on January 24, 2022, at the age of 39. Jesse was a member of the Cherokee Nation. After graduating from Colcord High School in 2001, Jesse earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK. He then moved to Arkansas in 2005 to attend the University of Arkansas School of Law. While at the School of Law, Jesse spent a summer studying international law in Russia. Over more than 13 years of practicing law in Northwest Arkansas, Jesse was passionate about helping his friends and clients through often difficult situations and earned the respect of his peers.
Judge Vann Smith of Little Rock died on January 22, 2022, at the age of 71. Following graduation from law school at the University of Arkansas, Judge Smith served as a law clerk for Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Conley F. Byrd, Sr., before joining his brother Bob and George Jernigan in the private practice of law. Former Governor Bill Clinton appointed Judge Smith to the Pulaski County Circuit/Chancery Bench, Sixth Judicial District, on November 8, 1989, for a term to expire on December 31, 1990. In 1990, Judge Smith was elected to the trial bench and served until his retirement on December 31, 2020. Since 2003, the trial judges in the 6th Judicial District voted annually for Judge Smith to assume the Administrative Judge position, which he held until he retired. A lifetime member of the Arkansas Judicial Council, Judge Smith served on the Council's Board of Directors and as President in 2012-2013. He was also President of the Judge William R. Overton Inn of Court, and served on the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission.
Albert Janney Thomas
Jr. of Clarkedale died December 21, 2021, at the age of 84. He graduated from West Memphis High School in 1955. Jan continued his education at the University of Arkansas, obtaining a B.S.B.A. in accounting in 1959 and then receiving his Juris Doctorate in 1962. Jan began practicing law in 1963 in West Memphis with Nance Law Firm, ultimately opening his own law practice in 1965. Always looking for ways to support and assist his community, he served as former Deputy City Attorney for West Memphis, as well as a former Deputy Prosecutor for the Second Judicial District. He also served as United States Bankruptcy Trustee for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Jonesboro, Helena, and Batesville Districts. A member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for the 1969 and 1971 legislative sessions, he was recognized for his service to others and received the Outstanding Volunteer Attorney of the Year for Crittenden County in 2006 and the Lawyer Community Legacy Award from the Arkansas Bar Association in 2014.
The information contained herein is provided from the members' obituaries.
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