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Joseph Choate Obituary
May 21, 1941 - October 14, 2010
Joe Choate passed away at home, surrounded by his family, after a six-month battle with leukemia. The only son of Joseph and Dorothy Choate, Joe grew up in Los Angeles and attended First English Lutheran School. He received his B.A. from Pomona College in 1963, his JD from USC, and an LLM in international law from Harvard University.
Joe served in the US Army from 1967-71 in the Judge Advocate General Corps. He was stationed in Seoul, Korea, and later at the Sixth Army in San Francisco, where he was lead defense counsel at the infamous Presidio Mutiny Trials. Upon leaving active duty, Joe joined Choate and Choate, his father's law firm, where he proudly practiced law for 43 years.
He is survived by his wife of 38-years, Rosemary; sons John (Tammy) and David (Rebecca); and granddaughter Sofie.
A private family service was held to celebrate a man renowned for his honor, clarity, humor, and love. Donations in Joe's name may be made to the City of Hope - (800) 535-7119.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
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5 Entries
June 24, 2019
Superb man in every respect.
December 22, 2010
I am so sorry about the loss you and your family have suffered. Joe was always very kind to me as a law student and then beginning lawyer (as were you, Rosemary!). Even after 30 years, he willingly consulted with me on crazy cases. May God bless you and yours! Martha (Ricketts) Farwell
December 15, 2010
Hi Rosemary - you don't know me, but I knew Joe as he helped my father with a tangled mess of Chinese-family legal matters stemming back like 100-years. I'm so sorry to see that he passed away because he was such a great man - a great guy, kind heart, smart, warm - all the things I hope to be when I grow up. I guess I better get on it since I'm 50+ now! My heart goes out to you and your family, and my hopes are my dad and Joe are up there having a few laughs, waiting for the rest of us one day. - Suma Fong Henry, daughter of Ming Chuen Fong
Joe Bush
December 2, 2010
Rosemary -- I was so very sorry to read Joe's obituary in the L.A. Times. I wish I had known he was sick because I come to L.A. frequently and could have visited. Remember that he and I were in adjoining barrack rooms the day we went into Army JAG at Fort Lee, Virginia, in January 1967. I really valued our friendship and legal ties for the next 43 years. My best to you and the boys.
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Faye Epps
November 30, 2010
Joe will be truly missed! I am glad that God crossed our paths!
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