In Memoriam
J UDGE BERNI CE LICHTY KIzER
Retired Judge Bernice Lichty IGzer of Little Rock died January 16, 2006, at the age of90. judge IGzer was born August 14, 1915, in Fon Smith , Arkansas. After graduating from Forr Smith High School in 1932, she worked rwo years checki ng groce ries at Fan Smith's first self-serve grocery store in order [0 save money for co ll ege. She first attended Stephens College in Columbia, Misso uri , where she also waited rahles. Judge Kizer then anencled th e Uni versity of Arkansas at Fayetteville. While her husband was in the Navy during World War IJ, Judge Kize r, who had n.vo children, returned [Q rhe Universiry of Arkansas in order [0 obtain her law degree. She was one of the first five women (a enroll in rhe University of Arkansas chool of Law, and she began practicing law in 1957 after her husband's (Mayne Parker) death. She married H arlan Kize r in 1959. Jud ge Ki zer was a member of the Arkansas House of Rep resem at ives from 1959 ro 1973. She served as chai rman of rhe Labo r Committee, markin g the first time a woman had been chairman of any legislative comm irree, and she was the first woman on the Legislative Cou ncil. She also served as vice chairman of the Joint Budget Comminec and was a member of the Rules Committee, the Savings & Loan Commincc, and the Banking Committee. Upo n co mpletio n of her 14 years as a member of th e Arkansas House of Representatives, Judge Kizer ran for rhe position of chancery/probate judge in the 12th Judicial District and became the first woman elected to a judgeship in Arkansas. She se rved in that capacity from 1974 ro
1986. After retiring from the bench, Judge Kizer again so ught pub li c office and was elected to the Fort Smith Board of DirectOrs, serving from 1988- 1992. At the age of 84, Judge Kizer co ntinued serving in the legal community as a judge o n ass ignment for th e Arkansas Judiciary. Judge Kizer was a longti me member of the Arkansas Bar Associatio n. She was active in num erous civic and church gro ups and received num erous special recognitions throughout her remarkabl e life. She is survived by three children, Dr. James Mayne Parker, Sh irley Parker Wilh ite, and Karolyn Parker Bond; one stepdaughter, Mary Hesslin; o ne brother; five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
WOODSON W. uBllx' BASSElT JR. Woodso n W. Bassett Jr. of Fayetteville died January 10, 2006. H e was 70. Basse n ea rn ed his juris doctO rate degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1949. He practiced law in Fayetteville for 43 years. He began practicing law in 1962 when he joined the firm of Dickson, Putm an, Millwee and Davis. which late r became known as Putman, Davis, Bassen. Cox and Wright. In October of 198 1, he joined with his rwo so ns to establish and build the Bassett Law Firm, where he was senior partner. "He set a fine exa mple for o ther lawyers and was a teacher and an inspiration to many yo ung lawyers over the years," according to an ob ituary in the Arkamas Democrnt-Gautte. "H e was widely recognized as an ext rao rdinary trial lawyer. as ev idenced by his induction into th e Ameri ca n College of Trial Lawyers. He was at his best in the courtroom. His life, both personal and professional, was marked by mu ch success and many accomplishments. but at his request, they wi ll not be recited. To use his words, 'It will suffice to say I grew up hard but marri ed well. fat hered three good children, and with linle natural talent, worked very hard and et hicaJly ro succeed as a lawyer. I lived the best way I knew how and had a good and lo ng life. My wife. Marynm. and my three child ren are my ep itaph, making it importanr th at I lived at ai L'"
Bassett was a longtime member of the Arkansas Bar Associatio n where he served as chair of the Workers' Compensat ion Committee and on (he Membership and New H eadqu3 n ers Committees. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary nm Shaw Basse n ; one daughter, Beverly Bassett Schaffer; (wo so ns. Woody and Tod Bassett; two grandchildren; and two siste rs.
JOHN DAVID WALL
John David Wall of Fayetteville died January 10, 2006. He was 38. Wall ea rned degrees in accou nting and data processing from the Universiry of Arkansas at Fayerreville and earned hi s juris doctOrate degree from (he University of Arkansas School of Law in 1992. Wall was a partner with the Bassett Law Fi rm in Fayettevi ll e. He was li censed to pracrice law in the states of Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. H e was a member of rh e Arkansas Bar Associatio n where he served o n th e Civil Litigation and Worker's Co mpensa tion Sections. "David's kind nature and willing attitude led him to compassionately rep resent a wide vari ery of diems in legal matters big and small ," according to an obituary in the Nor/hzves/ Arkansas Times. "His professionalism and imegrity were absolute and David garne red the respect of the judiciary, his clients and his opposition. David was the quintessential "lawyer's lawyer" and his dedication, wry smile and sense of humor will be forever missed in the legal co mmunity." Wa ll is su rvived by hi s mother, Jacque Wal l of Tulsa, OK; hi s father, Jerry Wal l of Fayetteville; a sister, Jenny Berry of Fayeneville; and a brother, Jeff Wal l of Dallas.
DEAN A.
GARREn"
Dean A. Garren of Fort Smith died January 18, 2006. H e was 65. H e was a longtime member of the Arkansas Bar Associarion and practiced law for 38 yea rs in Newport, Little Rock and Fort Smith . Ga rren se rved three years in th e U.S. Army as a Lieute nant. He graduated from rhe
Vol. 41 No. 21Spring 2006
n,e Ark"nSllS u llvyer
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