John Bailey Jones (March 30, 1927 – January 30, 2023) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota.

John Bailey Jones
Portrait as state legislator
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota
In office
January 1, 1995 – January 30, 2023
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota
In office
1991–1994
Preceded byDonald J. Porter
Succeeded byRichard Battey
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota
In office
November 18, 1981 – January 1, 1995
Appointed byRonald Reagan
Preceded byFred Joseph Nichol
Succeeded byCharles B. Kornmann
Member of the South Dakota House of Representatives
from the 47th district
In office
1957–1960
Personal details
Born(1927-03-30)March 30, 1927
Mitchell, South Dakota, U.S.
DiedJanuary 30, 2023(2023-01-30) (aged 95)
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, U.S.
EducationUniversity of South Dakota (B.S., LLB)

Early life, education, and career

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Born in Mitchell, South Dakota,[1] Jones was in the United States Naval Reserve from 1945 to 1947. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Dakota in 1951 and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 1953. He was in private practice in Presho, South Dakota from 1953 to 1966. He was a county judge of Lyman County, South Dakota from 1953 to 1956. He was a South Dakota state representative from 1956 to 1960. He was a circuit judge of the South Dakota Tenth Judicial Circuit from 1967 to 1974. He was a circuit judge of the South Dakota Sixth Judicial Circuit from 1974 to 1981.[2]

Federal judicial service

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On October 20, 1981, Jones was nominated by President Ronald Reagan to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota vacated by Judge Fred Joseph Nichol. Jones was confirmed by the United States Senate on November 18, 1981, and received his commission the same day. He served as chief judge from 1991 to 1994. He assumed senior status on January 1, 1995.[2]

Personal life and death

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Jones died in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on January 30, 2023, at the age of 95.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Biographical Directory of the Federal Judiciary. Lanham, Maryland: Bernan Press. 2001. p. 586. ISBN 0890592586.
  2. ^ a b c John Bailey Jones at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.

Sources

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Legal offices
Preceded by Judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota
1981–1995
Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota
1991–1994
Succeeded by