Judge Patrick M. Schott

The Honorable Patrick Michael Schott, retired Chief Judge of the Court of Appeal, Fourth Circuit, State of Louisiana, died on Monday, June 3, 2019 after a brief illness at the age of 88. A New Orleans native, the son of the late Bernard and Eugenie Schott, and the sixth of seven children, Judge Schott graduated from Jesuit High School in 1947. While at Jesuit, he was a member of the tennis and debate teams and various clubs and organizations.

Following graduation from Jesuit, he attended Loyola University where he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1951. He went on to law school at Loyola and earned his Juris Doctorate in 1953, graduating as a member of the Law Review and the winner of the Moot Court competition. While at Loyola, he met and fell in love with Joan Elise Gravois, his best friend and wife of almost 64 years. After graduation from law school, he served in the JAG Corps of the United States Army from 1953 to 1956, attaining the rank of Captain. He married Joan in 1955, with their first eighteen months stationed in Germany, where they welcomed their first child, Danielle.

Upon returning to New Orleans, Judge Schott practiced law for 16 years, during which time he tried many cases in the lower state and federal courts and practiced in the appellate courts of each, including his admission to and practice before the Supreme Court of the United States. He then was elected to the Court of Appeal in 1972, becoming the Court’s Chief Judge in 1988. He served in that capacity until retirement in 1998. During his tenure on the Court, he sat on thousands of cases and authored hundreds of opinions, many of which are published.

After retiring from the Fourth Circuit in 1998, Judge Schott continued to serve in subsequent years as an ad hoc judge, including the Fourth Circuit and Fifth Circuit Courts of Appeal. He worked as a mediator through Mediation Arbitration Professional Systems, Inc. and as an arbitrator through the American Arbitration Association. He served as an umpire on numerous property insurance cases, participated in mock appeals, and served as a Hearing Officer for the Louisiana Judiciary Commission. He was an active member of the Louisiana State Bar Association for over sixty years.

Judge Schott was involved in numerous civic, charitable and religious organizations. He actively served in various capacities in several Catholic parishes, including St. Matthias, Holy Name of Jesus and St. Francis Xavier. In these parishes, he was a daily communicant, lector, usher, weekly adorer and participant in multiple organizations and committees. He was also involved in the St. Vincent de Paul Society of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, where he acted as citywide President and received its “Top Hat” award in 2016. He served on the Matrimonial Tribunal of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. He attended an annual retreat at the Manresa House of Retreats for over fifty years, serving as a captain of “Group 35” for over forty years. He truly lived all aspects of his life for the greater glory of God.

Despite his active career, Judge Schott was utterly devoted to his wife, children and family, providing unending love. He was always available for counsel and loving support to his six siblings, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and large extended family. He is survived by his loving wife, Joan; their six children: Danielle Schott Ponder (Chuck); Michelle Schott Stoufflet (Patrick); Angèle Schott Thompson (Al); Patrick Michael Schott, Jr. (Holly); Louis Gravois Schott (Stephanie) and Nicole Schott Wood (Keith); fourteen grandchildren: Eugenie, Patrick (Kelly), Timothy, Elizabeth (Trevor), Madeline, Chase, Louis, Aimée, Colin, William, Grace, Owen, Amélie and Julia; and one great-grand daughter, Sophie. He is also survived by his brothers, Rev. Paul W. Schott, S.J. and Matthew J. Schott. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugenie Oelkers Schott and Bernard I. Schott; his sister, Rosemary Schott Stevens, and his brothers: Arthur O. Schott, Bernard J. Schott and Steven H. Schott.

The funeral will be held on Friday, June 7, 2019 at St. Francis Xavier Church on Metairie Road in Metairie, Louisiana. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until noon, followed by the funeral mass and a graveside service at Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Jesuit High School, Manresa House of Retreats, or St. Francis Xavier Church. AMDG

The family invites you to share your thoughts, fond memories, and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com.