Legacy far and wide: 'Judge T' Hamilton passes; was known by many, loved by family

To the many who knew him, he was “Judge T,” but retired Maury County Circuit Court Judge Jim Travis Hamilton died Sunday at his Columbia residence at the age of 81 following an illness, leaving behind a legacy of renown, not just in Maury County but the surrounding area.

Hamilton was elected mayor of Selmer in 1967 at the age of 26, making him one of the youngest mayors ever in the U.S. He moved to Mount Pleasant to start his own law practice in 1971.

Columbia attorneys Jason Whatley and Bob Grefseng said Monday that Hamilton had the respect of everyone practicing law in this area and was known by many far and wide.

“Wherever you went as a lawyer, everybody knew Judge Hamilton,” Whatley told the Herald.

Judge Hamilton’s son, Jim Hamilton II, said his dad lived a very interesting life and was loved and respected by many throughout the law profession.

Hamilton said his father taught at Cumberland and Martin Methodist but also taught him and his brother John the value of hard work.

“I’m very honored to have received hundreds of texts, calls, messages where people have told me stories about Papa,” Hamilton said. “It’s things like this that help us get through it.”

His dad had a huge love for sports and enjoyed returning to see games at Middle Tennessee State University where he would also see his old teammates.

“I became a teacher and coach because I watched my dad instill love and guidance to so many people, from attorneys and courthouse employees to athletes,” Hamilton said. “I continue to teach and coach because of him, to this day.”

It was very hard for his father to give up the gavel, he said.

“When he had to … that was the hardest toughest thing he has ever done.”

“Judge Hamilton was a legend long before I started practicing law,” Whatley wrote on social media. “He once chided me about not wearing a suit to town, as he believed all attorneys should dress for court every day, just in case the judge appointed you to something.”

Whatley said although he didn’t know Hamilton that well personally, to all who knew him, Hamilton was a mentor.

“I have no idea how many trials and hearings I had with him,” Whatley said. “I have two regrets from those times: First, I wish I had kept a journal of things, remembering better his one of a kind rulings and his unforgettable and often intimidating courtroom presence.”

“Second, I wish I had another chance at one more trial with Judge Hamilton presiding, just one, and to be reminded once again about the privilege it is to practice law. Rest In peace, good judge… and friend.”

Whatley said Hamilton was everyone’s favorite judge and “a force to be reckoned with, cut from an old school cloth, back when lawyers knew the courtroom.”

Hamilton encouraged hard fought cases that ended with the shaking of hands and taught the young attorneys to “wipe the blood and sweat from their faces and keep going.”

“He left an impression on all the attorneys,” Whatley said, adding that one of Hamilton’s rulings once moved him to tears, even though he didn’t win the case. “He really was a legend and one of a kind.”

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Columbia attorney of 38 years, L. Robert Grefseng said the late Judge Hamilton was a jovial man.

“At end of day, you couldn’t hold anything against him,” Grefseng said. “He was nice to lawyers and would not embarrass them. He had a really good demeanor.”

“Everbody loved judge Hamilton,” Grefseng said." I don’t know a soul that didn’t love him.”

The Maury County Commission took a moment to honor Judge Hamilton before the start of business Monday night, with chairman Eric Previti asking everyone to remember Hamilton’s family in their prayers.

Commissioner Jerry Bridenbaugh led the prayer for his family before the meeting began.

“We remember Judge Jim T, a great servant of this community who sat on this bench for many years,” Bridenbaugh said. “We thank you for his service, his knowledge and his wisdom. We pray for comfort for his family.”

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday at 11 a.m. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Ray Fraley and Randy McNeece officiating.

Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Wednesday from 3 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: 'Judge T' Hamilton dies, leaving a legacy far and wide