John Davis Larkins Jr.

John Davis Larkins Jr. (June 8, 1909 – February 16, 1990) was an American politician and jurist who served as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

John Davis Larkins Jr.
Larkins c. 1951
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
In office
June 8, 1979 – February 16, 1990
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
In office
1975–1979
Preceded byAlgernon Lee Butler
Succeeded byFranklin Taylor Dupree Jr.
Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
In office
August 21, 1961 – June 8, 1979
Appointed byJohn F. Kennedy
Preceded bySeat established by 75 Stat. 80
Succeeded byWilliam Earl Britt
Personal details
Born
John Davis Larkins Jr.

(1909-06-08)June 8, 1909
Morristown, Tennessee
DiedFebruary 16, 1990(1990-02-16) (aged 80)
Kinston, North Carolina
EducationWake Forest University (B.A.)
read law

Education and career

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Born in Morristown, Tennessee, Larkins received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wake Forest University in 1929. He attended Wake Forest University School of Law but read law to enter the bar in 1930. He was in private practice of law in Trenton, North Carolina from 1930 to 1961. He was a Conciliation Commissioner in Bankruptcy for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina in 1930. He was a Member of the North Carolina Senate from 1936 to 1954. He was President pro tempore from 1941 to 1943. He was a private in the United States Army in 1945.[1] He was Liaison Officer and Legislative Counsel to the Governor of North Carolina Luther Hodges in 1955.[2]

Larkins served as chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party in the 1950s and unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for Governor in 1960.[3]

Federal judicial service

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Larkins was nominated by President John F. Kennedy on August 8, 1961, to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, to a new seat created by 75 Stat. 80. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 21, 1961, and received his commission the same day. He served as Chief Judge from 1975 to 1979. He assumed senior status on June 8, 1979. His service ended with his death on February 16, 1990, in Kinston, North Carolina.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Powell, William S. (editor). Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, Volume 4 L-O, The University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, North Carolina and London, 1991, pages 23-24. ISBN 0-8078-1918-2.
  2. ^ a b John Davis Larkins Jr. at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
  3. ^ NCpedia biography by William S. Powell.

Sources

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Legal offices
Preceded by
Seat established by 75 Stat. 80
Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
1961–1979
Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
1975–1979
Succeeded by