James Gordon Lauderdale

Judge James Gordon Lauderdale, age 99, of Lexington, died January 14, 2018 at Riverbend Heights Care Center in Lexington. He was born December 13, 1918 in Wellington, the son of James W. Lauderdale and Flora Duebbert Lauderdale. He married Lois Dankers on December 25, 1946 in Kansas City. Judge Lauderdale has two sons Monte Lauderdale and wife Ruthie of Lexington and Dankers Lauderdale and partner Chuck of Oakland, California
Judge Lauderdale was a life long resident of Lafayette County. He was a graduate of Wellington Public School, salutatorian of his class. He worked his way through college and law school, earning an AB Degree from Central Methodist University, Fayette, in 1940 and a Juris Doctor Law Degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City in 1948. While attending law school at night he was employed during the day in the accounting and sales departments in the marketing offices of Skelly Oil Company in Kansas City.
On August 13, 1942 he enlisted in the United States Army. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded two Bronze Stars for Central Europe and Rhineland battles and campaigns. He was discharged from the service November 11, 1945.
Judge Lauderdale passed his bar examinations and was admitted to practice law in Missouri on April 10, 1948. In November 1948, he was elected to the office of Probate Judge and Ex Officio Magistrate Judge of Lafayette County. He was the youngest judge in the state of Missouri. He ran for the office of Prosecuting Attorney in 1962 and was elected eight times for a total of sixteen years. After the office of Probate Judge was changed to Associate Circuit Judge, Judge Lauderdale again ran for the office and was elected two terms for a period of eight years. He served the people of Lafayette County thirty eight years, twenty two years as judge and sixteen years as Prosecuting Attorney. During this time he also taught Business Law at Wentworth Military Academy for a number of years. He retired from public service January 1, 1986 at the age of 68.
Additional activities include Boy Scout Advancement Chairman; first Boy Scout Commissioner of the Big Muddy District; member of the Missouri Association of Associate Circuit Judges Probate division (past President); Missouri Prosecuting Attorney Association (past President); Lafayette County Bar Association (past President); American Bar Association; Lexington Lion's Club (past President); American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Tribe Mic-O-Say; Turners Society, Methodist Church Lay Leader; Sunday School Superintendent; and was named to Marquis Who's Who.
Funeral services will be Thursday, January 18, 2018 at Walker Nadler Fuller Funeral Home, 1720 South Street, Lexington at 11:00am. Visitation will also be on Thursday at the Funeral Home from 10:00am until service time. Burial, with Military Honors, will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, Lexington.
Judge Lauderdale was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Lois, and his sister, Donna Hilker.
Memorials may be made to the Lexington United Methodist Church or the Lexington Senior Center.

Arrangements by: Walker Nadler Fuller Funeral Home, 1720 South Street, Lexington, MO 64067 660-259-2245