TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Sep 23, 2024

John Richard "Dick" Lodge, lobbyist and former chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party (TNDP), died Sept. 20 at the age of 75. Born in Sewanee to the family known for their cast iron skillet business, Lodge graduated from Vanderbilt University Law School in 1974 and worked for the attorney general’s office before joining the senate campaign of Jim Sasser, who died earlier this month. After Sasser's win, Lodge served in Washington, D.C., as his legislative director. Lodge later returned to Nashville to become a partner at Bass, Berry & Sims and ran the firm’s government relations operations for years. As chair of the TNDP from 1983-1988, Lodge was part of the committee that created Super Tuesday. Nashville mayor Phil Bredesen, a close ally, also tapped him to be the first chair of the Metropolitan Sports Authority. Services will take place this week at Christ Church Cathedral, 900 Broadway, Nashville 37203. Visitation be from 3-5:30 p.m. on Wednesday with funeral services at 3 p.m. CDT on Thursday. Memorial donations may be made to Abe’s Garden Community, the Center for Contemplative Justice or Christ Church Cathedral.