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Local lawyer dies of cancer: John Stroud remembered as 'unselfish person'
with 'grit and determination' | Texarkana Breaking News

http://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/texarkana/story/2016/sep/08/local-lawyer-dies-cancer-john-stroud-remembered-unselfish-person-grit-and-determination/639243/

Local lawyer dies of cancer: John Stroud remembered as 'unselfish person'
with 'grit and determination'

Texarkana lawyer John Stroud III died Sunday from cancer at age 54.
His life-long friends and legal colleagues remember him fondly as a
brilliant legal mind whose remarkable humor and affable nature made him a
friend to all who knew him.
"There are so many stories that those of us who grew up with John Stroud
could tell," Andy Woodman said. "He was more like a brother than a friend
to so many. One of his favorite ways to start a plan, no matter if it was
small, as in planning our day at the lake, or big, as in helping someone
through a court case, was 'Here's what we're gonna do.' So many of us grew
up at his lake house, learned to ski, learned what friendship really was
and made memories we will forever smile back upon. He was an avid
Razorbacks fan and there was such enjoyment watching games with him,
especially when the Razorbacks played the Longhorns. There was never a dull
moment. He was the kind of guy that could calm down a hurricane with just a
few words."
Murray Morton said the loss of his best friend of 40 years has left him
clinging to his memories.
"When he was about 15, John was fortunate enough to get a job as a grip for
Charles B. Pierce, the director of Town That Dreaded Sundown," Morton said.
"We were all so jealous because he got to spend his summers in places like
Montana on movie sets, wherever they were shooting. He used the money he
earned to buy a 1939 Ford. We're 16 cruising Texarkana and trying to talk
to girls and do what boys do, but we couldn't get away with anything,
'cause what's more identifiable than a pea green '39 Ford?"
Morton said Stroud never spoke an ill word about anyone.
"John was such an original person. he was so comfortable in his own skin,
he never tried to impress anybody. You just knew what you got with John.
You knew when you talked to him that he was special. He was just a friend
that everybody wanted to have," Morton said. "John was probably the most
unselfish person I've ever known."
John Stroud leaves behind his wife Lisa and children Laikyn, Emmie and
Luke; his parents Judge John Stroud Jr. and Marietta Stroud; and sisters
Kimball Stroud and Tracie Waters.
Texarkana lawyer Matt Keil said being John Stroud's friend was an honor.
"I have known John and his wonderful family for over 40 years," Keil said.
"I watched John follow in his father's footsteps as a very talented trial
attorney. John was intelligent, witty and very compassionate toward his
family, friends and clients. He always looked for the best in every
situation."
John Woodman, another of Stroud's childhood friends, said he considered
Stroud a right-hand man, " a true southern gentleman who was a giver of the
heart," a family man who possessed great "grit and determination."
Jo Ann Howard, a long time friend of the Stroud family, described John
Stroud as a southern gentleman also.
"John had that Southern gentleman aura that began as a boy and flourished
as he became a man," Howard said. "His attention to his mama and all ladies
was outstanding. Maybe those sisters had something to do with that. He
dressed like a Hollywood leading man—and looked like one too. When talking
to you, his gaze fell right in your eyes and stayed there. His smile stayed
with you even after you said goodbye."
While every person who knew Stroud remarked on his keen sense of humor and
ability to express it to the delight of everyone, those whose own work led
them to cross paths professionally with Stroud never fail to mention his
acumen as a legal advocate. Stroud operated a private legal practice
handling cases in Arkansas and Texas state and federal courts and worked
part-time as a public defender for indigent defendants in Miller County,
Ark. He received his law degree from the University of Arkansas,
Fayetteville in 1989.
"He was an excellent trial lawyer with great integrity," Circuit Judge Kirk
Johnson said. "He truly respected the judicial system and made sure his
clients got a fair trial. He had a knack of being able to talk to anybody,
a criminal defendant, another lawyer, a jury, anyone. It was that knack and
his deep integrity that really set him apart."
Johnson said Stroud was able to talk "common sense" that benefited his
clients immensely.
"He could handle a lot of cases, did so diligently and got the best
outcomes for the people relying on him," Johnson said. "He always had a
great attitude and that made everyone's job easier."
Prosecuting Attorney Stephanie Black remarked on Stroud's demeanor as well.
"He's one of the only lawyers I know who was loved by all sides always,"
Black said.
Texarkana lawyer Jeff Harrelson developed a great respect for Stroud
through their mutual career paths.
"John's law practice mirrored mine more than any other lawyer in my career,
so we naturally spent a lot of time together working on cases and became
fast friends," Harrelson said. "I admired him greatly, miss him terribly,
and treasure my memories of him. He will always be one of my favorites."
Mark Luckett, who credits Stroud with helping him embark on a career as a
bail-bondsman, said Stroud was one of his favorite people too.
"John Stroud was the quickest witted, kindest man I ever had the pleasure
to know," Luckett said. "Everybody loved him. He ambled into court. I will
really miss his smile, and the 'Stroudisms.'"
Bobby Lockhart, who currently serves as 102nd District Judge serving Bowie
and Red River Counties in Texas and who served as Bowie County's elected
District Attorney for decades, said Stroud's work in the courtroom made him
a stand-out.
"John tried many cases in my court. He was a well-experienced trial
attorney who took representing his clients seriously and was always a
gentleman's gentleman to everyone. I will truly miss him," Lockhart said.
Circuit Judge Brent Haltom, who serves Miller and Lafayette Counties and
served as the district's elected prosecutor for many years, said he
treasures his memories of Stroud.
"John's illness and death deeply saddened me," Haltom said. "He was my
friend and a fellow attorney and will be greatly missed by the legal
community. He showed enormous courage until the end. John's warm
personality and charming wit served him well in representing his clients
and gaining them favorable outcomes. If a trial was necessary, John was not
afraid to tee it up and was always a formidable foe."
Circuit Judge Carlton Jones said Stroud possessed an ability to develop
trial strategies and finesse a jury rarely seen.
"He was one of the quickest witted individuals and just as quick on his
feet in trial. He was a contemporary of mine so I knew him as a person
first and then as a lawyer," Jones said. "He could really connect with
juries, they had confidence in what he said. He could win cases nobody else
could."
U.S. District Judge Robert Schroeder III, a federal judge who serves the
Eastern District of Texas, has known Stroud since childhood.
"I thought the world of John. Forty years ago I knew him as Kimball's and
Tracie's older brother and, in recent years, as the dean of the defense bar
in Texarkana," Schroeder said. "If the measure of one's life is his love
for and devotion to family and friends and, for a lawyer, his commitment to
representing his clients to the very best of his ability, John was in a
class by himself. I will miss his easy smile and gentle manner. The world
is a little dimmer place today."
Managing Public Defender Jason Mitchell, who serves Miller and Lafayette
Counties, knew well Stroud's commitment to the accused.
"John was our longest tenured public defender and was a champion for those
who could not help themselves. He treated everyone with dignity and respect
no matter their station in life. John truly loved his chosen career and
gained strength from his interaction with clients, fellow attorneys and
court personnel," Mitchell said. "He loved people and dedicated his life to
serving others. He was an absolute joy to be around and I never saw him
when he didn't have a smile on his face. His passing is a great loss for
our community and the State of Arkansas."
editor's note: Services for John F. Stroud III are scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
Friday at First United Methodist Church, Ark.


Eric D. Schwerin
eschwerin@rosemontseneca.com

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