Frederic August Jacobus

Judge Frederic August Jacobus passed away on Friday, March 31, 2017 at Kaweah Delta Rehab Hospital in Visalia. He was 94 years old. Fred was born in his grandparent's home in Council Bluffs, Iowa on January 5, 1923.

Fred grew up in Omaha, Nebraska and joined the Army ROTC at a young age and excelled in school. He attended Creighton University in Omaha for one year, then took a train alone to the West Coast where he attended University of California at Berkeley. He continued with the Infantry ROTC and achieved his Bachelor's Degree in 1943, immediately before being shipped out to Army Officer's Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was ordered to Europe as a 2nd Lieutenant in May of 1944. Shortly after D-Day, he landed on Omaha Beach in France. As he walked inland to find the 73rd Infantry, an artillery shell exploded next to him and he was wounded. He survived and was shipped back to England and then America for multiple surgeries.

Near an Army hospital in Topeka, Kansas, he attended law school at Washburn University. The next year he enrolled in the BoaIt Hall Law School at Cal Berkeley. In 1947 he graduated and passed the State Bar Exam. He married Marion Tunison and began his law practice with the Santa Fe Railroad in Los Angeles. They began a family and moved to Visalia in 1953. He continued his law practice and established his own successful law firm. After many years as a prominent trial lawyer, he was appointed as a Superior Court Judge in Tulare County. Subsequently, he was appointed Federal Magistrate and ran the Federal Court for the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

In 1995 Fred met Nancy Johnson and they spent many happy years traveling, collecting artwork and attending theater even as they worked at their respective professions. Nancy was a nurse practitioner and instructor. In 2009, Fred and Nancy were married in Visalia.

The most recent years of Fred's legal profession were as Arbitrator and Mediator, based at his office building at 2929 W. Main in Visalia.

Fred is preceded in death by his father, Walter and mother, Marguerite and his first wife, Marion. He is survived by his wife, Nancy and his four children; Linda, Fred Jr. (Nancy), Alan (Debbie) and Diane. There are six grandchildren; Heather, Stephanie, Holly, Ryan, Devon and Janie and 11 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, you may donate to Frederic A. Jacobus Memorial Scholarship Fund in the care of Phil Laird, 403 N. Floral St., Visalia, CA 93291.

There will be a memorial service on Friday, April 7, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 608 N. Church Street in Visalia. A reception will follow.