Senate Resolution 107

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE SINCEREST SYMPATHY OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE TO THE SURVIVING FAMILY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY JUSTICE COURT JUDGE JOHNNY WAYNE "JUDGE" MCLARTY, THE SECOND LONGEST ELECTED JUSTICE COURT JUDGE IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, AND COMMENDING HIS SERVICE TO HIS COMMUNITY AND HIS STATE.

WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of Lafayette County Justice Court Judge Honorable Johnny Wayne "Judge" McLarty, 73, on December 11, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Judge was born on May 28, 1950, to the late Clara Mae and John Murry McLarty. A lifelong resident of Oxford, his heart and soul belonged to his community; and

WHEREAS, a judge since 1979, he was the second longest elected Justice Court Judge in the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Judge was an avid fan of Ole Miss sports and longtime ticket taker, known as a legend in the Left Field by all those he ushered in throughout the years; and

WHEREAS, although he loved his "Rebels," nothing brought him greater fulfillment than supporting the Lafayette County School District and their athletic programs. Heavily involved with the school across the years, he held every role from coach, umpire and videographer, and drove his own bus route for around 20 years; and

WHEREAS, he was a charter member of the Splinter Valley Hunting Club, where he spent many days hunting and fishing. Judge was a member of Taylor Baptist Church and the Mason Lodge #33 in Oxford, where he held many cherished friendships with his fellow masons; and

WHEREAS, Judge also spent time as a volunteer deputy with the sheriff's department as a 911 dispatcher and worked as an EMT with the Oxford-Lafayette County hospital. He had mastered what so many longed for, which is to love your career so much that it does not feel like work at all; and

WHEREAS, Judge was always early and constantly showed up for his friends and family. A week in his shoes would include rounds to various social outings and commitments. A schedule that would exhaust most his age instead filled him with energy and vigor, as Judge would hop from the Beacon to Handy Andy, Sky Mart, Grillhouse or Taylor Grocery if it were a Sunday. He was founder of the Thursday Lunch Crew, a merry band of judges and attorneys that would gather together at the Beacon; and

WHEREAS, Judge was the pillar of so many social circles, both professional and personal, but was most importantly the pillar of his family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Debbie Tatum McLarty and sister, Jeanette Wells. He is survived by his daughter, Deanna McLarty Massey (Bruce); son, Chad McLarty (April); brothers-in-law, Dewey Wells and Jimmy Tatum; grandchildren, Austin McLarty, Lee Murray McLarty, Alexis McLarty, Taylor Jackson, Bailey Jackson, Rex Massey and Smith Massey; great-grandchildren, Myles McLarty and May Ann McLarty, as well as his Justice Court family; and

WHEREAS, Judge McLarty lectured fellow attorneys on ethics, integrity, civility, courtesy and adherence to the Golden Rule. His life honored both The Mississippi Bar and this great state that he loved and served:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby extend the sincerest sympathy of the Mississippi Senate to the surviving family of Lafayette County Justice Court Judge Johnny Wayne "Judge" McLarty, the second longest elected Justice Court Judge in the State of Mississippi, and commend his service to his community and his State.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Johnny Wayne "Judge" McLarty, forwarded to the Mississippi Bar, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.