James Edward Scanlan Jr.

JUDGE JIM SCANLAN passed away on Saturday, the 14th of February 2015 after a long illness. He was 85. Jim was born in Dallas, Texas, the only child of the late James Edward Scanlan and Leona Warlop Scanlan. He graduated from Jesuit High School in Dallas and attended LSU and SMU before receiving his B.S. in English and journalism from the University of Houston. Jim enlisted in the United States Coast Guard during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged in 1956. He was especially proud to have been employed as an elevator mechanic with Otis Elevator, a position he maintained while working his way through law school. Jim graduated from the University of Houston Law Center in 1962.Jim entered private practice for eight years before becoming court coordinator and staff attorney for Probate Court No. 2 in Harris County. In 1977, Jim was appointed, by Commissioners' Court, as the statutory probate judge to preside over the newly created Probate Court No. 3, a position he maintained until his retirement in December of 1998. For the duration of his tenure on the bench, he served as the administrative judge for the Mental Health Division of the Probate Court system for Harris County and was primarily responsible for the creation and implementation of Probate Court No. 4. After his official retirement in 1998, Jim continued to sit as a visiting statutory probate judge statewide. Due to his expertise and ability to arrive at common sense solutions to complicated matters, he also served, and was highly regarded, as a successful, skilled mediator in probate and ancillary matters.Among many of his judicial peers, locally and statewide, Jim was considered as "a judge's judge", setting the bar for ethical standards, judicial temperament, knowledge and application of the law, as well as the ability to rule firmly and decisively. He moved his dockets quickly, effectively and efficiently while sustaining a level playing field for all who appeared before him. He was unpredictable, but fair. Whether a case was one of first impression, high profile, or one fraught with controversy, Jim was always able to maintain objectivity and focus while moving the case forward. He was consistently upheld on appeal. Jim was keenly aware of maintaining the appearance of judicial propriety, both on and off the bench. While remaining true to his Democratic roots, he always garnered bipartisan support and was unopposed every time he ran for re-election.Jim was generous with his time, always willing to mentor both seasoned and newly licensed attorneys alike; his scholarly aptitude, his professional demeanor, his knowledge and skill in the application of the law, and his ability to analyze issues incident to complex litigation were respected at all levels of the Bar. For these, and other reasons, Jim, as a sitting judge, and later, as a visiting judge, consistently received the highest rankings in the Bar polls from attorneys who appeared before him. He was the inaugural recipient of the Distinguished Service Award given each year by the Probate, Trust and Estate Section of the Houston Bar Association.In the eyes of the public, Jim was perhaps best noted for his sense of fairness and consideration for those who appeared in his Court. He was courteous, respectful, and extraordinarily patient with all who appeared before him. His tireless compassion and empathy for the mentally ill, the elderly, and the disabled instilled the deep desire to vigorously advocate their rights, from Commissioners' Court to the Texas legislature, as well as among the leadership of other legal and medical organizations in the mental health area. He was lauded by psychiatrists and mental health professionals for his efforts to improve and expand the delivery of services to those in need, championing the rights of those who had no voice.Jim was a member of the State Bar of Texas, Houston Bar Association (Fellow), American Bar Association, National College of Probate Judges, American Judges Association and the Judicial Section of the State Bar of Texas. Jim was a frequent and innovative guest speaker, panelist and moderator for State and local bar continuing education programs. For many years, he presented "Saturday Morning in Probate Court" to standing room only audiences. Jim was a popular speaker among various charitable organizations, professional and retirement groups, as well as special interest, political and mental health organizations. He was called upon, as both contributor and advisor, by focus groups concerned with mental health issues at both State and local levels.Off the bench, Jim was fiercely private. He loved a good cigar, a fast motorcycle, and sailing or fishing on the open water. Jim loved animals and the environment. He loved people and good conversation. He relished a good book, and reveled in good music and good art. Jim was a caring, generous husband and wonderful friend to his wife, Carla. He was kind-hearted and compassionate toward all and had a good word for everyone. Those closest to him cherished his friendship with the utmost respect. Jim never forgot his roots, and his upbringing made him quite comfortable among ordinary, hardworking people from modest backgrounds. While Jim was in a position perceived to wield considerable influence, he never did so to his advantage; he knew who he was, had nothing to sell and was quite comfortable in his own skin. Jim was unflappable. His personality was magnetic, and he never knew a stranger. His quick wit, sense of humor, boundless enthusiasm, and love for the practical joke made him a favorite with young and old alike. He could make people laugh. He could make people smile. Jim enjoyed his many travels nationally and abroad, spreading his good will and cheerfulness wherever the paths, roads and waterways took him. He made many good, enduring and lasting friendships along his travels through life. Jim was previously married to Marilyn Lambrecht Scanlan, who predeceased him in 1986. Jim is survived by his wife, Carla, as well as numerous friends, relatives, and colleagues. This kind and gentle man, admired, loved and respected by so many, has left a lasting impression, as well as a tremendous void, in the fabric of our existence. Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o'clock in the afternoon until eight o'clock in the evening on Wednesday, the 25th of February, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston. The Memorial Mass is to be offered at half past ten o'clock in the morning on Thursday, the 26th of February, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church 11720 Joan of Arc Drive in Houston, where The Most Rev. Vincent M. Rizzotto, is to serve as celebrant. Immediately following the service, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the Community Center.In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to The Alaska Zoo, 4731 O'Malley Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99507, Attn: Jill Myer; or to your favorite local animal rescue shelter - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/obituary.aspx?n=jim-scanlan&pid=174183921&fhid=6290#sthash.qSdFjdmt.dpuf