Obituary Dalby Norman Leonard

Description

Obituary of N. L. Dalby

Publisher

Texas Bar Journal, vol. 34 #3 3/22/1971

Source Text

Memorials N. L. Dalby  Norman Leonard Dalby, 94, former judge of the 102nd Judicial District, died Feb. 8, 1971 in a New Boston nursing home.  His death ended a legal career of 63 years.  Judge Dalby was born Feb. 17, 1876 in the community of Dalby Springs, where his father had settled in 1839.  After his schooling in Dalby Springs, he turned to farming to support his mother until 1901, when he moved to New Boston.  In New Boston, Judge Dalby married Ethel Gaston Fulbright on March 18, 1903, and served a two-year term as justice of the peace during 1904-06.  He entered Cumberland University Law School in Lebanon, Tenn., and was graduated in June 1907.  In August 1907, he was admitted to the Texas bar.  During 1909-11, Judge Dalby was state Representative for Bowie County and during 1912-14, he served as county attorney.  The judge entered private practice in 1914, practicing alone for two years, then entering the partnership of Mahaffey & Keeney.  That firm continued as Mahaffey, Keeney & Dalby until 1920, and the firm of Keeney & Dalby continued until 1930.  Judge Dalby again practiced alone until he was elected to the judgeship of the 102nd Judicial District in 1934, and he held that post until his retirement in 1954.  After his retirement, Judge Dalby devoted most of his time to operation of his small farming and ranching interests and to gathering material for a family history.  Judge Dalby joined the Methodist Church in Dalby Springs when he was 12, and since 1915 had been active in First Methodist Church of Texarkana, where he had been a trustee and member of the board of stewards, and he had taught the Men's Bible Class for many years.  In January, 1970, Judge Dalby wrote a letter to the secretary of the Northeast Texas Bar Association, of which he was a member, saying in part, "Time will soon be running out with me.  If I make it, I will be 94 one month from today.  I may never be able to attend another banquet but as long as I live, I want to remain in good standing in the Association and am enclosing my check for $5.00 for 1970 dues."  On Feb. 17, 1970, his 94th birthday, the lawyers of that bar association and his friends helped Judge Dalby celebrate his birthday and 63rd year in the practice of law.  Surviving Judge Dalby are his wife, Mrs. N. L. Dalby of Texarkana; his son, Bowie County Judge Robert L. Dalby, 4th and Texas Ave. County Building, Texarkana; two daughters, Mrs. Edith Bean of Texarkana and Mrs. Avanelle Smith of Shreveport, La.; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.