CLEVELAND — For the third time in just over a week, a Cleveland-area judge has passed away.
On Thursday afternoon, the Eighth District Court of Appeals announced that Judge Larry A. Jones, Sr. passed away unexpectedly.
Judge Jones joined the Court of Appeals of Ohio in January of 2009, after serving the Cleveland Municipal Court for 21 years — 14 of which he was the administrative judge. Judge Jones’s time on the bench was preceded by a lengthy career in public service as an Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor and Cleveland Councilman. While on the Cleveland Municipal Court, Judge Jones spearheaded the Greater Cleveland Drug Court, a collaborative program that was innovative and successful.
Judge Jones received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Wooster and his juris doctorate from the Case Western Reserve University Law School.
“Larry Jones was the quintessential public servant — dedicated to making the judiciary and the community better,” says Administrative and Presiding Judge Mary J. Boyle. “Apart from being a pioneer and legend in the legal community, he was a friend to everyone and made everyone feel that they were his favorite. He will be greatly missed, and our thoughts and prayers are with Judge Jones’s family and friends."
On September 28, Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Nancy McDonnell died at the age of 62. McDonnell had suffered from previous health problems, including receiving a double lung transplant in 2009.
Then last Saturday, Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Judge Joseph D. Russo died at the age of 59. The cause of death for both judges has not been made available.
The Ohio Supreme Court appointed Judge Timothy J. McGinty to temporarily preside over the docket of Judge McDonnell. Judge Russo's docket will be temporarily handled by Judge Richard J. McMonagle.
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- Ohio Supreme Court appoints visiting judges to fill dockets following deaths of two sitting Cuyahoga County judges
- Cuyahoga County Judge Joseph D. Russo dies at 59
- Legal community mourns loss of Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Nancy McDonnell