Judge Theodora L. Bedard

Judge Theo Bedard was the first child of Judge Theodore and Antonio Lueders of La Grange, Texas. At a time when very few women went to law school, at a very early age, Theo would go to the courthouse with her father. That experience shaped her desire to become an attorney and a judge. Theo’s father died when she was 14 years of age. This did not hinder her legal aspirations, however, but rather strengthened her desire to become a judge. After graduating from La Grange High School, Theo attended The University of Texas at Austin. There, she was active in University politics. After graduating from Law School in 1954, she served as the first woman City Attorney and later the first woman Municipal Court Judge of Wichita Falls. While in Wichita Falls, Theo met and married William (Bill) Bedard. Their first son Ted was born in Wichita Falls. Soon thereafter, the Bedards moved to Dallas, where their second son, Bill, was born. In Dallas, Theo worked as an assistant district attorney, was briefly in private practice, was Director of Development for the Dallas County Juvenile Court, and judge of the Juvenile Court. She was appointed Family Court Judge by Governor Clements in 1979 where she served until 2002. Thereafter, she served as a visiting Family Court Judge. Theo was active in her church, profession, and community. She belonged to many and varied organizations where she usually served in some leadership role. Judge Bedard was pre-deceased by her parents, Judge Theodore and Antonio Lueders, her brother Pastor Jimmy Lueders, and by her husband, Judge William Bedard. Theo is survived by her son, Dr. Theodore Bedard, his wife Melissa of San Antonio, and by her son, Assistant Attorney General Bill Bedard of Dallas. She is also survived by her brother Tommy Lueders, an attorney, his wife Betty Jo of Austin, sister-in-law Eugenia Bedard, and nieces Amy Jo Dunsmore, Carmen and Ana Herrerias, and by her nephew Tommy Lueders II. Visitation will be from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Saturday, January 15, 2011 at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home on Northwest Highway. A funeral service will be held at St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church, 1220 W. Belt Line Road, Richardson, Texas 75080 at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 16, 2011. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Cancer Support Community North Texas (formerly Gilda’s Club), 2710 Oak Lawn, Dallas, Texas 75219 (214-219-8877)