James-Browning-Obituary

James Browning

Obituary

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — James Browning, the nation's longest-serving federal appellate judge, has died. He was 93.

Browning served on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals after President John F. Kennedy appointed him in 1961 until 2000, when he assumed semi-retired "senior" status until his death Saturday in a Marin County hospital. Browning also served as chief judge of the San Francisco-based court from 1976 to 1988.

"He loved the 9th Circuit and was devoted to maintaining its cohesion, its collegiality, and its judicial excellence," said U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, who served on the 9th Circuit from 1975 to 1988.

The 9th Circuit's massive Beaux Arts courthouse, which survived the city's 1906 earthquake, was named after Browning in 2005.

"Judge Browning served on our court for more than 50 years, including 12 years as our chief judge," 9th Circuit Chief Judge Alex Kozinski said. "In that time, his name became synonymous with that of the Ninth Circuit and he is rightfully the eponym for our historic headquarters building in San Francisco."

Browning was born in Great Falls, Montana and received his law degree from the University of Montana law school in 1941. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, rose to the rank of first lieutenant and won a Bronze Star medal. After the war, he worked in the U.S. Department of Justice until leaving for private practice in 1953.

In 1958, Chief Justice Earl Warren appointed Judge Browning to serve as clerk of the Supreme Court of the United States.

President Kennedy first met Browning during the president's inauguration, when Browning held the Bible while the president swore the oath of office. Browning was the last clerk to do so; the honor now goes to the president's spouse.

Browning is survived by his wife of 70 years, Marie Rose, whom he met in high school. He is also survived by a daughter and three grandchildren.

PAUL ELIAS, Associated Press


Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Please accept my deepest sympathies on the loss of your beloved. There are never any right words to express how deeply sad I am for the pain your family is enduring at this difficult time.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Military Installations, I am sincerely thankful for his valiant service in defense of our rights and freedom.

His commitment to family, friends, our community, and to serving our great nation leaves a wonderful legacy. May...

An inspired man of the law and a genuine human being has passed. The loss is hard felt by all who knew him, but is also mitigated by his enduring legacy. I offer my heartfelt sympathy to your family. William P. Roscoe, III

To the BROWNING family sorry for your loss may GOD give you his love, peace, and strength in this time of sorrow. May he R.I.P -|-

My condolences for the family of Judge Browning. May the God of comfort help you during this time of sorrow. (Isa. 41:10,13)

My prayers & condolences go out to the entire family. He was a great judge with strength, & inspiration.

My deepest condolences to your family. May God sustain you in your time of sorrow. (1 Peter 5: 7,8)

What a great loss for our nation. He was a true giant of jurisprudence.

Prayers and condolences to Marie Rose and the rest of his family. He was a wonderful example for all of us.

He was a true gentleman and a walking example of judicial temperment. My favorite memory of him is the running joke we shared: "Hey, judge, I saw you on TV last night". To which he'd reply, "did JFK get sworn in again?" I will remember him in my prayers.

Jerry Begen, 9th Cir, L.A./Pasadena '81-'86