Thomas Rutherford Brett

Thomas Rutherford Brett (October 2, 1931 – February 6, 2021) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma.[1]

Thomas Rutherford Brett
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma
In office
October 3, 1996 – February 1, 2003
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma
In office
1994–1996
Preceded byJames O. Ellison
Succeeded byTerence C. Kern
Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma
In office
November 2, 1979 – October 3, 1996
Appointed byJimmy Carter
Preceded bySeat established by 92 Stat. 1629
Succeeded byClaire Eagan
Personal details
Born(1931-10-02)October 2, 1931
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
DiedFebruary 6, 2021(2021-02-06) (aged 89)
Tulsa, Oklahoma
EducationUniversity of Oklahoma (BBA)
University of Oklahoma College of Law (LLB, JD)
Military service
Allegiance United States of America
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
United States Army Judge Advocate General's Corps
Years of service1954-1955
1955-1981
RankColonel

Education and career

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Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Brett received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma in 1952, a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1957, and a Juris Doctor from the same institution in 1971. He was a lieutenant in the United States Army from 1954 to 1955, and was thereafter a reserve colonel in the United States Army JAG Corps until 1981. He was an assistant county attorney in Tulsa, Oklahoma from 1957 to 1958, and was then in private practice in Tulsa until 1979.[2]

Federal judicial service

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On September 28, 1979, Brett was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma created by 92 Stat. 1629. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 31, 1979, and received his commission on November 2, 1979. He served as Chief Judge from 1994 to 1996, assuming senior status on October 3, 1996. Brett served in that capacity until his retirement on February 1, 2003.[2]

Death

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Brett died on February 6, 2021, at age 89, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.[3]

References

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  1. ^ 'Oklahoma Almanac 1997-1998,' Oklahoma Department of Libraries: 1997, Biographical Sketch of Thomas R. Brett, pg. 323
  2. ^ a b Thomas Rutherford Brett at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
  3. ^ Stanley, Tim (February 9, 2021). "Former U.S. District Judge Thomas R. Brett dies at 89". Tulsa World. Retrieved February 10, 2021.

Sources

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Legal offices
Preceded by
Seat established by 92 Stat. 1629
Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma
1979–1996
Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma
1994–1996
Succeeded by