Judge J. Richmond Pearson

October 22, 2014 age 84, died October 22, 2014. Born the youngest of seven children to William U. Pearson, Sr. and Ruth J. Pearson, he was a native of Birmingham, Alabama. He attended Washington Elementary School and Parker Industrial High School. He was a proud graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, and Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C. After passing the Alabama Bar examination in 1958, he opened his law office across from historic Kelly Ingram Park, and began his career of fighting racism and injustice. A contemporary and schoolmate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., he represented his fellow Morehouse alum and other jailed civil rights protestors. He also was involved in landmark civil rights litigation that successfully challenged unlawful discrimination in public accommodations, employment practices and etc. The moniker "Icewater" that he acquired during his Morehouse days for staying cool under pressure served him well throughout a career of challenges and confrontations as the first black in various arenas. Judge Pearson became the first black assistant United States attorney for the Northern District of Alabama upon appointment by President Lyndon B. Johnson. In 1974, he was one of two black senators elected to the Alabama Senate post reconstruction. Known for his brilliant legal mind and quick thinking, he distinguished himself by mastering the rules of the senate and perfecting the art of the filibuster. He authored legislation to remove the two state historically black public universities, Alabama A&M and Alabama State from under the direct control of the state superintendent and placing them on the same level as other state universities with separate trustee boards. In 1978, former Lt. Governor George D. McMillan, Jr. appointed him as chair of the powerful senate Finance & Taxation Committee. This position garnered national attention for the first black to control the purse strings of an entire state. Throughout his career, Judge Pearson subscribed to the philosophy of paving the way for others to follow. He was instrumental in securing the appointment of blacks to various state boards and agencies. He obtained state funding for Pearson Hall, a substance abuse residential treatment facility in Birmingham, as well as funding for the Bill Harris Arena at Fair Park in Birmingham. In 1984, Governor George Wallace appointed him as a circuit judge in the criminal division. As the first black judge in the Birmingham Division of the Tenth Judicial Circuit, Judge Pearson earned the reputation as a fair, knowledgeable jurist capable of dispensing "no nonsense" justice tempered with mercy and compassion. In 1999, he retired from the bench after a fifteen-year tenure. In 2008, Judge Pearson was inducted into the city of Birmingham's Gallery of Distinguished Citizens. He received numerous awards and citations for his public service. He was one of the founders of Miles Law School and the current board chairman. He was a former legal advisor to the Birmingham City Council and former board member of Tuskegee University, Miles College and Alabama Goodwill Industries. In November 1997, the Magic City Bar Association presented him the Scroll Award and its Civil Rights Achievement Award in November 2013. In April 2009, he was a recipient of the Martin Luther King "Keepers of the Dream Award" from the Birmingham Metropolitan Chapter of the SCLC. He received the Living Legend Award from the City of Birmingham-Mayor's Office Division of Youth Services in 2011. In May 2013, he was among a select group of legal pioneers honored for their work with the Civil Rights Movement at the "Journey For Justice Gala" sponsored by the Birmingham Bar Foundation, Magic City Bar Association and the Birmingham Bar Association. In May 2014, he was inducted into the Alabama Lawyers Association Hall of Fame. In July 2014, he was honored by the Miles College National Alumni Association for his support achievement and dedication to Miles College. He was a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and stalwart member of Thirgood CME Church, where he chaired the trustee board. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army. Judge Pearson was married to Dr. Juliet Nunn Pearson, who died in 1983. In addition to his parents, his siblings Dr. William U. Pearson, Jr., Mamie Pearson Weeks, Henry L. Pearson, Esq., Marguerite Pearson Chambliss, John M. Pearson and Robbie Pearson (in childhood) predeceased him. Surviving him are daughters, Attorney J. Richet Pearson and Julene R. Pearson, M.D.; son-in-law, Gleen M. Johnson, honorary grandson, Kertel Z. Barnes; several nieces, nephews, cousins, loyal assistant, Mary Austin and friends. A graveside service will be held Wednesday, October 29, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. at Elmwood Cemetery. Smith & Gaston Southside directing. In lieu of flowers or other remembrances, donations may be made in his memory to any nonprofit organization that promotes social justice and protects the rights of the disenfranchised.