The Honorable John H. “Jack” Ruffin, former chief judge of the Georgia Court of Appeals, died on Friday. He was 75. It was too soon. He declined to seek reelection in 2008 since Georgia law compelled him to retire before his 75th birthday. The last time I saw him, he said he was thinking about running again in 2010. He was only half joking. Judge Ruffin was remarkably unpretentious and good humored. Once, I published a letter to the editor criticizing one of his decisions. The next time he saw me, he smiled graciously and made a self-deprecating remark.
As a practicing lawyer, he was an activist, a genuine hero of the civil rights movement. But as an appellate judge, he had no discernible agenda, except to follow the law faithfully.
As a practicing lawyer, he was an activist, a genuine hero of the civil rights movement. But as an appellate judge, he had no discernible agenda, except to follow the law faithfully.
Before the funeral the following morning, we attended his wake at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Augusta. In lieu of flowers, Judge Ruffin's family asks for contributions to Morehouse College or to any other charity of the giver's choice.
I have known the judge since 1994, shortly after his appointment to the Court of Appeals. In 2002, he wrote the introduction to the second edition of the Georgia appellate practice book I authored. I knew him as a good and impartial appellate judge, with a penchant for deadpan humor. And I knew that he had played a role in desegregating the Augusta school system.
I had not fully appreciated the size of the shoes I sought to fill when I ran to succeed him in 2008 after he announced his retirement. The realization was humbling. Stacey Eidson of the Augusta Metro Spirit has written the best description I’ve seen of his contribution to the civil rights movement."Courage. That’s what defines a man. Courage to stand up against something that is unjust. This week Augusta lost a great man of courage."
It always takes courage to right wrongs in this world. Judge Ruffing did so unfailingly and set an example for the rest of us.
Christopher J. McFadden
Candidate for Judge, Court of Appeals of Georgia in 2010
...he wrote the book on Georgia appeals!
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