James T.R. Jones

On Thursday, May 3, 2018, Professor James T. R. Jones died peacefully surrounded by his family.  Jim was a professor at the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville.  Since 1986, he has taught Torts, Decedents’ Estates and Trusts, and Appellate Advocacy to hundreds of law students. 

Jim graduated from the University of Virginia in 1975 and then attended law school at Duke University. He graduated as salutatorian from Duke University School of Law in 1978.

He loved history, movies, classical music, and the eight dachshunds he had over the years.  He spent several years as a civil war re-enactor with the 2nd Kentucky Infantry and the 9th Michigan Infantry.  More recently, Jim worked in the community to fight the unfair stigma of mental illness.  His book, A Hidden Madness, discussed his own struggles with mental illness.  Jim spoke to many students and professionals nationwide about the importance of eliminating the stigma of mental illness.

Jim was predeceased by his father Richard J. Jones, Jr., his brother Richard J. Jones III, his aunt Betsy Rose Jones, and his dachshunds Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Melanie, and Scarlett.  He is survived by his wife Kathi Jones, his daughters Jennifer Jones and Shirley Jones, their mother Dr. Jane Irby, his mother Helen R. Peck, his sister-in-law Ramsay O. Jones, his nieces Ramsay J. Hyatt, Borda Cannariato, and Mary Olive Hansen, and many friends and colleagues.  His beloved dachshunds Sequel and Sweetie also survive him.

There will be a visitation at Garr Funeral Home in Sellersburg, Indiana on Saturday, May 12, 2018 from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.  A memorial service will be held at the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville in the Allen Courtroom on Monday, May 14, 2018 at 1 p.m., with a celebration of his life to follow from 2 p.m. until 3:30 in the Cox Lounge.  Parking for the memorial service will be in the Speed Museum lot (pay lot) or in the green lot (free) on 3rd Street across from the Reynolds Lofts.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in his name to any of the following organizations: NAMI Louisville, Bridgehaven Mental Health Services, Kentucky Dachshund Rescue, Inc., Hosparus Health, or the Loan Repayment Assistance Program at the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville.