Judge Julian Dewayne Thomas

Julian Dewayne Thomas, Senior Judge of the Hinds County Chancery Court, passed away peacefully at his home in Byram, Mississippi on September 16, 2026. Julian Dewayne Thomas, the son of Walter Julian Thomas and Bobbie Ruth Moore Thomas was born on March 16, 1954, in Carthage, Mississippi. Judge Thomas lived with his parents in the Arrington Community of Neshoba County, Mississippi until he was 10 years of age. His parents later moved to Jackson, Mississippi where he grew up in south Jackson and attended Whitten Junior High School and Central High School.

Judge Thomas’ parents taught him a strong work ethic, and as such, when he was 12, he began work as a paper boy for the Clarion Ledger and in other jobs from high school until college. As a young college student, Judge Thomas acquired a love for politics while working as Head Page for the Mississippi Senate in the springs of 1975, 1976, and 1977. In addition to working for the Mississippi Senate, Judge Thomas worked a variety of jobs in Oxford to supplement his income while in college. While working for the Mississippi State Senate, he learned a lot about Mississippi politics and developed a desire to serve in the Mississippi Legislature and become an attorney.

Judge Thomas graduated from Jackson Central High School in 1972, the University of Mississippi in 1977, and Mississippi College School of Law in 1980. He passed the Mississippi Bar exam in the summer of 1980 and was admitted to practice law in all of the Mississippi state and federal courts. From 1973 until the summer of 2003, in addition to practicing law and serving in the Legislature, Judge Thomas coached baseball and pee wee football at Leavell Woods Park and Forest Hill Park in south Jackson. Judge Thomas coached both of his sons, David and Ryan, and during these years, he mentored many young people. It was the highlight of Judge Thomas' life to coach both boys. In 1998, Judge Thomas' team won the Babe Ruth State Championship for the State of Mississippi and played in the Regional World Series in Biloxi, Mississippi, where their team finished third. While coaching Ryan in pee wee football, their team won the All-Metro Jackson Football championship two years in a row.

Judge Thomas served as Hinds County Chancery Judge from January 2007 until September 16, 2026. Prior to becoming Chancery Judge, he practiced law in Jackson, Mississippi, for about 30 years, serving citizens of the state of Mississippi, where he pursued his strong passion to help those who most needed a voice. He did this on the House floor when serving in the Mississippi House and in the courtrooms of the State of Mississippi as an attorney and assistant county attorney, and, as such, he was recognized as one of the Best Lawyers of Mississippi in 2001, by “Best Lawyer Consumer Guide.” He was again recognized as one of the 10 best personal injury lawyers in the state of Mississippi in 2018, by the “American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys,” and was awarded AV Preeminent rating in 2017 by Martindale-Hubbell, which is their highest rating for legal ability and ethics.

Judge Thomas loved life and was an avid tennis player and loved hunting and fishing, especially red fishing in south Louisiana and fly fishing in northern Arkansas. He was an avid Ole Miss football fan and would attend all Ole Miss home football games and many road games for the past 50 years.

Judge Thomas had a great love for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and his friends. He was always willing to help anyone in need, regardless of what was needed. Judge Thomas always believed in hard work and knew he was very blessed to have been able to attend college and law school and to have known and had so many great friends and loved ones. As such, he would say, “Who am I to be so lucky to have so much.”

Judge Thomas was preceded in death by his parents and by his youngest son, Ryan Dewayne Thomas. Judge Thomas is survived by the love of his life, and the best thing that ever happened to him, his wife, Linda, his son, David D. Thomas, and other family members.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 20, 2026 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at Lakewood Funeral Home, 6011 Clinton Blvd, Jackson, MS 39209 and Monday, September 21, 2026 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Morrison Heights Baptist Church, 3000 Hampstead Blvd, Clinton, MS 39056 with the funeral service at 2:00 pm followed by a graveside service at Lakewood Memorial Park, 6000 Clinton Blvd, Jackson, MS 39209. Following the services, a reception will be held in Judge Thomas' courtroom in the Hinds County Chancery Court building located at 316 South President Street, Jackson, MS.

Please make donations in Judge Thomas' memory to the University of Mississippi Alumni Association.