Jack Pope facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jack Pope
Retired Texas Chief Justice Jack Pope, aged 97, in his home library, March 2011
23rd Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court Justice
In office November 29, 1982 – January 4, 1985
Preceded by	Joe R. Greenhill
Succeeded by	John Hill
Texas Supreme Court Associate Justice, Place 2
In office January 4, 1965 – November 29, 1982
Preceded by	Frank P. Culver Jr.
Succeeded by	Ted Z. Robertson
4th Court of Civil Appeals, Justice
In office September 12, 1951 – 1964
94th District Court, District Judge
In office December 16, 1946 – 1951
Personal details
Born	Andrew Jackson Pope Jr. (1913-04-18)April 18, 1913 Abilene, Texas, U.S.
Died	February 25, 2017(2017-02-25) (aged 103) Austin, Texas, U.S.
Resting place	Texas State Cemetery Austin, Texas
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Allene Nichols (d.2004)
Children	Andrew Jackson Pope III Walter Allen Pope
Alma mater	University of Texas School of Law Abilene Christian University
Profession	Lawyer
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Navy United States Naval Reserve
Years of service	1944–1946
Battles/wars	World War II

Andrew Jackson Pope Jr., known as Jack Pope (born April 18, 1913 – died February 25, 2017), was an important American judge, lawyer, and writer. He became the top judge, or Chief Justice, of the Supreme Court of Texas.

Jack Pope holds a special record. He served as a justice on the Texas Supreme Court for 38 years. This is longer than anyone else in the court's history. When he turned 100 years old, he was the oldest living former Chief Justice of any state supreme court in the United States.

Early Life and Education

Jack Pope was born in Abilene, Texas. His father, Dr. Andrew Jackson Pope Sr., was a doctor. His mother, Ruth Adelia Taylor, was from Nebraska. He was also related to Andrew Jackson Berry, who fought in the Texas Revolution.

After finishing high school in Abilene in 1930, he went to Abilene Christian University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1934. While there, he was even the president of the Students' Association.

Later, Pope studied law at the University of Texas School of Law. He helped edit the Texas Law Review. In 1937, he earned his law degree and became a licensed lawyer. In 1938, he married Allene Nichols, a teacher he met in law school. They had two sons together.

Career as a Judge

Starting as a Lawyer

After becoming a lawyer in 1937, Jack Pope worked with his uncle in Corpus Christi, Texas. He handled many different types of legal cases. These included business law, oil and gas issues, and family law.

He also managed his uncle's bus company, the Highway Transportation Company. This job helped him learn a lot about new transportation and labor laws.

During World War II, Pope joined the United States Navy Reserve in 1944. He worked on the legal team at naval stations in Corpus Christi, Washington, D.C., and San Diego. He served until 1946.

Becoming a District Judge

In 1946, Governor Coke R. Stevenson appointed Jack Pope to be a judge for the 94th District Court. He was only 33 years old, making him the youngest district judge in Texas at that time.

As a district judge, Pope started writing and giving talks to other lawyers. He cared a lot about how trials were run and how to be a good lawyer. He also focused on making the jury system better in Texas.

Serving on the Court of Appeals

In 1950, lawyers in Nueces County, Texas encouraged Pope to run for the 4th Court of Civil Appeals in San Antonio. He won the election and was appointed to the court.

Pope served on this court for 14 years. During this time, he made important decisions. One case helped set the rules for water rights in Texas.

Joining the Supreme Court

In 1963, many lawyers asked Jack Pope to run for a spot on the Texas Supreme Court. He was elected as an Associate Justice in 1964.

While on the Supreme Court, he worked to improve legal education for judges across Texas. He also helped create rules for how judges should act, called The Texas Code of Judicial Conduct, in 1974. Pope also helped start the Texas State Law Library in 1971.

Becoming Chief Justice

In 1982, Jack Pope was appointed Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court. This meant he was the top judge in the state. Even though he was a Democrat, a Republican governor, Bill Clements, chose him for the job.

Some politicians tried to block his appointment. But Pope refused to make any deals to keep his job. He believed judges should not make deals. In the end, the Texas Senate approved him as Chief Justice.

As Chief Justice, Pope worked to help poor people get legal help. He created a program called Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts (IOLTA). This program uses interest from special bank accounts to fund legal aid. Today, every U.S. state uses this program.

Later Life and Legacy

Jack Pope retired in 1985. By then, he had written over 700 opinions for the Supreme Court. He also wrote 500 opinions as a district judge and court of appeals justice. He served as a judge for more than 38 years.

In 1989, Abilene Christian University started the Jack Pope Fellows Program. This program gives scholarships to students who want to work in public service. Also in 1989, Pope helped create the Texas Center for Legal Ethics. This group helps lawyers act professionally and ethically.

In 2011, when he was 98, Pope wrote a book called My Little United Nations. It was about staying healthy and happy as you get older.

In 2013, a law was passed in Texas called the Chief Justice Jack Pope Act. This law helps provide more money for legal assistance for people who cannot afford it. It was named after him because of his earlier work with the IOLTA program.

Jack Pope passed away on February 25, 2017, at the age of 103. He left behind his two sons, three grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Texas Chief Justice Nathan Hecht called him "a judicial icon" and a great man.

Awards and Honors

• In 2009, he received the first Chief Justice Jack Pope Professionalism Award. This award honors judges and lawyers who show great professionalism.
• In 2010, the State Bar of Texas gave him its first Judicial Lifetime Achievement Award.
• On his 100th birthday in 2013, he was honored at the Texas State Capitol. The Texas House of Representatives passed a resolution in his honor.