Judge Lewis S. Doherty III

"Lewis Doherty loved his community, church, family and friends which could be seen through his natural concern for others, gift for story-telling and unfailing generosity.   He was also a man of fierce integrity, fought for the equality of all, and possessed a passion for justice. He passed away peacefully on December 31st, 2017.  He was born on June 30th, 1926 in Baton Rouge to his parents, Lewis S. Doherty II and Olive Ruth Guyton Doherty, and was also blessed with the love and affection of his grandmother, Olive Tyson Guyton who lived with him and his parents for thirty-two years until she passed.  He is survived by his brother Anthony Doherty and his wife Cindy James Doherty of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and his two children, Tony Doherty and Ellen Rooney of Baton Rouge, LA.  He was happily married to the former Arden Allen for sixty years. His wife's sister, Geri Allen Doran and husband, Richard Doran live in Colorado.  He and his wife are survived by three children, Allen Doherty, a fine father and his wife Kara Stuckey, Lewis Doherty IV, a loving son, and Allison Doherty,  a jewel who is married to Scott Ricca, a special son-in-law.  Also, the Doherty's have two grandson's Myles Doherty and Ryan Schuette and wife Katie Reading and two children Jonas and Lauren Schuette.  Judge Doherty was very proud of his heritage and family. Among these was Edith Doherty Drew who was both his aunt and "beloved sister" due proximity of age, and he also was particularly fond of her children, his four cousins he referred to the Drew sisters who visited him regularly.  He was reared in Baton Rouge, educated in Baton Rouge schools and graduated from LSU where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity.  His education was interrupted by enlistment in the US Navy. He returned to continue his education at the University obtaining a BA, participating in the Kappa Alpha Fraternity and earned a LLB degree at the Paul M. Hebert Law Center.  Following his graduation from law school, he commenced the practice of law in Baton Rouge, and one year after beginning the law practice he was elected to the Baton Rouge City Council. At the time of his election, he was the youngest member ever elected at a city wide election. He did not seek re-election, but four years later, January 1st 1961, he was elected and sworn in as a Judge in the Baton Rouge City Court where he served for 6 years.   He was re-elected without opposition to the City Court and 19th Judicial District Court in October 1966.  He was unopposed for three additional terms and retired on December 31st 1983. He was appointed to the first Circuit Court of Appeals and briefly to the Louisiana Supreme Court Ad Hoc, and therefore served on all four levels of the judiciary.  Judge Doherty was particularly pleased that he was called to serve as either Ad Hoc or Pro Tem in twenty-four different Parishes of the State by the Louisiana Supreme Court. He was also selected to be the Chairman of the Mass Torts Committee formed to prepare a booklet for the use of judges throughout the State who were presented with many mass torts. Judge Lewis Doherty will be the first to say that he should not be considered among the ranks of distinguished jurists, but he felt that there were very few judges who had as interesting and satisfying career as he did.  Following retirement of public office, he joined the firm Kean Miller as "Of Counsel" and in the practice of law seven years thereafter.  He was selected and appointed to be the hearing office for the Louisiana State Contractors Licensing Board and served for ten years before his voluntary retirement.  He was a man of faith. Accordingly he served as senior warden of Trinity Episcopal Church Vestry and President of its School Board. Additionally, he was a lay reader for almost twenty years.  Judge Doherty was also active in many civic, fraternal, and social organizations, taking a leadership role in most.  Among these, he was President of the Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce which was at that time a very prominent and active organization as well as a Judge Advocate for the State American Legion, and President of the Capital City Kiwanis Club. Additionally, he was a member of St. James Lodge # 47, the Scottish Rite, SAR and 32nd degree Mason.  He served as Chairman of the Baton Rouge Assembly and President of the Baton Rouge Country Club.  Judge Doherty never featured himself as a civil rights activist, but he played a significant role in two historical events, one being the bus boycott settlement of 1953 as a member of the City Council, and at the time of his death, the sole surviving member.  Further, he was the first City Judge that desegregated his courtroom in January 1961 which was four years before the Civil Rights Act mandating desegregation for all public facilities.  Judge Doherty fervently believed in equality of the races and his actions were consistent with what he thought was right.  He loved his country and served for two years in the Pacific theater of the 2nd World War, and shortly during the occupation in Japan.  He also enjoyed the game of golf and did so for nearly sixty years, and with his wife traveled the world.  The visitation for Judge Doherty will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at Trinity Episcopal Church on 3552 Morning Glory in Baton Rouge, LA from 9:00 am to 11:00 am with a service at 11:00 am, and with grave side services at 12:30 at Resthaven on Jefferson Highway. Pallbearers include Lewis Doherty IV, Allen Doherty, Ryan Schuette, Myles Doherty, Scott Ricca, Hank Harper, Carl Rogers, John Edens, and Mike Huber.  Memorial donations may be made to the giver's fund of choice.