James Owen Wise

James Owen Wise, retired Circuit Court Judge for Caroline County, died peacefully with family by his side on September 4, 2024, at the age of 86.

Born in Easton and a graduate of Caroline High School in Denton, Owen attended Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1960. He served in the Army upon graduation, earning the rank of Lieutenant, and went on to attend the University of Maryland School of Law at night while working during the day. He earned his Juris Doctorate in 1965 and was admitted to the Maryland Bar later that year.

Though he met his bride while in elementary school, their courtship did not begin until they were in college when they saw one another again at a friend's wedding. Legend has it that upon seeing Mary Ellen Ellwanger as part of the wedding party he told his sister that she would "make someone a nice wife one day." He was that lucky man as they married in 1962 and enjoyed 56 years together until she passed away in 2018. The two returned to Denton in 1966 where Owen would practice law with his father, later following in his father's footsteps by serving as State's Attorney (1970-78) and then as Circuit Court Judge in Caroline County (1982-1999). He also was the Chief Judge of the 2nd Circuit and continued to serve as a retired judge across the Eastern Shore for many years after his elected term of 15 years in Caroline ended. He was a Senior Judge when he hung up his robe in June of this year.

Prior to serving on the bench, Judge Wise belonged to and led numerous community organizations, including the Denton Volunteer Fire Company, where he was an Assistant Chief and President, the Rotary Club, the Masons and Jaycees. He played softball for many years and coached a team in the Denton Little League. Public service came as naturally to him as his love of Caroline County and the Eastern Shore: He served as counsel for the Potomac River Fisheries Commission; was on the board of directors for the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy; chaired the Government Study Commission as well as the Ethics Committee for Caroline County; and, served on the Chesapeake College Board of Trustees. He also spearheaded the formation of the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) chapter in Caroline County, a mission he passionately believed in noting that CASA gives a real voice to abused and neglected children in the courts. He made many lifelong friends through these organizations and his life on the Shore.

Judge Wise is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Ellen (Michael Vaughan) and their twin sons, Griffin and Declan, and his son, James Steven (Amy), and their twin sons, Sam and Owen. He is also survived by a younger sister, Gaye Wallen (Dan). He was predeceased by his wife, Mary Ellen, his parents, James Alfred and Dorothy Wise, and his older sister, June Winkler.

Along with Mary Ellen and friends, he traveled the world, with trips to Aruba, Amsterdam, Australia, Austria, Belize, France, England, Scotland, and Germany to name just a few. An avid and lifelong Oriole's fan, Judge Wise missed very few games. He loved to watch all levels of baseball from little league (especially when his grandsons were on the field) to the majors. He would often identify Delmarva Shorebird players early on that went on to be major names in the game but also would add that he liked the game if it was played "the right way." An avid golfer, he played countless rounds at the former Caroline Country Club and other courses. "O" loved a good story, usually with a glass of bourbon or a cold beer and steamed crabs. But nothing excited him more in his later years than seeing his grandsons play their chosen sports of lacrosse, football, baseball, and golf, and there was no distance he wouldn't travel to watch them compete.

A visitation will be held on Monday, Sept. 16th from 10 until 11:30 a.m. at St. Luke's Church 100 S. 5th Ave. Denton, with a Memorial Service following at 11:30. A reception will follow. The interment is private.

Donations can be made to CASA of Caroline, Inc.: https://casaofcarolineinc-bloom.kindful.com/ or by mail to 114 Market Street, Suite 100 Denton, MD 21629.

To offer online condolences please visit moorefuneralhomepa.com.