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James Browning Obituary
Browning served on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals after President John F. Kennedy appointed him in 1961 until 2000, when he assumed semi-retired "senior" status until his death Saturday in a Marin County hospital. Browning also served as chief judge of the San Francisco-based court from 1976 to 1988.
"He loved the 9th Circuit and was devoted to maintaining its cohesion, its collegiality, and its judicial excellence," said U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, who served on the 9th Circuit from 1975 to 1988.
The 9th Circuit's massive Beaux Arts courthouse, which survived the city's 1906 earthquake, was named after Browning in 2005.
"Judge Browning served on our court for more than 50 years, including 12 years as our chief judge," 9th Circuit Chief Judge Alex Kozinski said. "In that time, his name became synonymous with that of the Ninth Circuit and he is rightfully the eponym for our historic headquarters building in San Francisco."
Browning was born in Great Falls, Montana and received his law degree from the University of Montana law school in 1941. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, rose to the rank of first lieutenant and won a Bronze Star medal. After the war, he worked in the U.S. Department of Justice until leaving for private practice in 1953.
In 1958, Chief Justice Earl Warren appointed Judge Browning to serve as clerk of the Supreme Court of the United States.
President Kennedy first met Browning during the president's inauguration, when Browning held the Bible while the president swore the oath of office. Browning was the last clerk to do so; the honor now goes to the president's spouse.
Browning is survived by his wife of 70 years, Marie Rose, whom he met in high school. He is also survived by a daughter and three grandchildren.
PAUL ELIAS, Associated Press
Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Memories and Condolences
for James Browning
15 Entries
Senator Leticia Van de Putte
May 30, 2012
Please accept my deepest sympathies on the loss of your beloved. There are never any right words to express how deeply sad I am for the pain your family is enduring at this difficult time.
As Chair of the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Military Installations, I am sincerely thankful for his valiant service in defense of our rights and freedom.
His commitment to family, friends, our community, and to serving our great nation leaves a wonderful legacy. May the love and the wonderful memories you shared with him help you when you need it most. He will never be forgotten, and your family will be remembered in my prayers.
May 30, 2012
An inspired man of the law and a genuine human being has passed. The loss is hard felt by all who knew him, but is also mitigated by his enduring legacy. I offer my heartfelt sympathy to your family. William P. Roscoe, III
May 16, 2012
To the BROWNING family sorry for your loss may GOD give you his love, peace, and strength in this time of sorrow. May he R.I.P -|-
May 16, 2012
My condolences for the family of Judge Browning. May the God of comfort help you during this time of sorrow. (Isa. 41:10,13)
Darlene
May 12, 2012
My prayers & condolences go out to the entire family. He was a great judge with strength, & inspiration.
Maria
May 11, 2012
My deepest condolences to your family. May God sustain you in your time of sorrow. (1 Peter 5: 7,8)
David Sherman
May 9, 2012
What a great loss for our nation. He was a true giant of jurisprudence.
Vonda & Larry Hopkins
May 9, 2012
Prayers and condolences to Marie Rose and the rest of his family. He was a wonderful example for all of us.
Jerry Begen
May 9, 2012
He was a true gentleman and a walking example of judicial temperment. My favorite memory of him is the running joke we shared: "Hey, judge, I saw you on TV last night". To which he'd reply, "did JFK get sworn in again?" I will remember him in my prayers.
Jerry Begen, 9th Cir, L.A./Pasadena '81-'86
May 9, 2012
My wife and I were given the opportunity to met Jim and Marie Rose in Red Lodge, Montana when he presided over the marriage of our daughter Kristin to Jason Winder. A very memorable and truly blessed event.
May Jim rest peacefully in God's heavenly kingdom. Our prayers are with you and the family.
Don and Barb Badt
Sidney, Montana
Juan Powers
May 9, 2012
may the God of comfort be with the family
May 9, 2012
My sincere condolence to the family, may the God of comfort bring comfort at this most difficult time
2 Cointhians 1:3,4
May 8, 2012
I have such fond memories of clerking for Judge Browning in 1987-88. I am so sorry for the Court's, and all of our, loss. Most important, I want to express my condolences to Marie Rose.
- Alan Koschik, Solon, Ohio
Barbara Mccormick
May 8, 2012
He was chief judge when I started in 1982. He was a very friendly to the employees and made you feel important. I liked him very much.
May 8, 2012
Marie and your family---Thankyou for sharing him with the rest of America, he will be missed. Linda
Showing 1 - 15 of 15 results
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