The Honorable James D. McNicholas passed away on October 13, 2016. He is survived by his daughter Elizabeth Graham McNicholas, two granddaughters, Alexandra McNicholas Bernier and Kirksey McNicholas Reynolds, their husbands, Benjamin Joseph Bernier and Stephen Mercer Reynolds, and four great-grandchildren, Stephen Mercer Reynolds, Jr., Jeanne Elizabeth Hollingshead, Bridget Reddington Reynolds, and James Fletcher Reynolds. He is preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Jeanne Graham McNicholas, his son, James D. McNicholas, Jr., brothers Dr. John Reddington McNicholas, Carlton Emmett McNicholas, and sister Kathleen McNicholas Secor.
Judge McNicholas was born in Marinesco, Michigan, on April 23, 1918, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Edwin McNicholas. He was a graduate of the University of Michigan where he received both his undergraduate degree and his doctorate of jurisprudence. He was a member of Phi Delta Phi, Pi Delta Theta fraternity, and the Order of the Barristers.
Before his last year of law school, he entered the United States Army as World War II became imminent. He served as a Captain in the Third Army during the War, directly involved in General George Patton’s headquarters and a courier to General Patton himself.
Judge McNicholas practiced law in Beaumont for sixty years, most recently of counsel at Germer, PLLC. He was also a member of the American Bar Association, the Texas Association of Defense Counsel and a Charter Member and Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. He served as an Associate Justice on the Texas Ninth Court of Appeals from 1983-1984 and as President of the Jefferson County Bar Association. He also served as a Municipal Court Judge for the City of Beaumont for over ten years and continued to do so until shortly before his death.
He was active civically, including Mayor of the City of Beaumont 1968-1970, Deacon and Elder of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Trustee and Board Member of the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Foundation, President and Director of Family Services, Officer and Board Member of Schlesinger Geriatric Center, Board of Directors of Three Rivers Boy Scout Council, Officer and Director of the YMCA, Vice President and Director of the United Way, Board of Directors of the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, President and Director of the Greater East Texas Health Association, President and Chairman of the Board of Beaumont Savings and Loan Association and First Texas Savings, President and Board of Directors of the Neches Title Company, Secretary-Treasurer and Member of the Board of Directors of the Vinton Production Company, Founding Member of the Southeast Texas Regional Planning and Zoning Commission, Rotary Member and Paul Harris Rotary Fellow, Citizen of the Year awarded by the Neches River Festival, Active with the United Negro College Fund, Member of the Beaumont Club, Board Member of the Beaumont Country Club, Member of the Texas Gulf Historical Society, Advisory Director of the Mental Health Association, Advisory Director of Mental Health Association and current Board Member of Jefferson County Drainage District 6.
Judge McNicholas was honored by a proclamation issued by the Texas State Senate commemorating his lifelong dedication to public service. He was also a recipient of the J.C. Crager Heart Award, the Jefferson County Bar Association Blackstone Award, and a James D. McNicholas Day proclamation issued by Becky Ames, Mayor of the City of Beaumont.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 17, 2016, at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 23rd and Gladys, Beaumont, Texas. Guy Goodson, Joe Gregory, Kit Herrington, Tanner Hunt, Hubert Oxford, III, Chief Pete Shelton, and Dr. Al Wehner will serve as pallbearers. A private burial service will be held at a later date. Broussard’s Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff of Harbor Hospice, Dr. Bertron Brown, and Rhonda Gobert. Contributions in his memory may be made to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Beaumont, Texas.
