Longtime Cleveland City Judge Bill Moss, 76, died Monday morning (July 14) from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot, Chattanoogan.com reports. Moss’ body was found at his normal work parking spot after police responded to a call that shots had been fired. His longtime law partner, Jim Logan, said Moss fell at his home this past spring and struck his head. Tests showed that he had suffered brain injury. He later lost the use of his right arm and right leg and was experiencing headaches. Moss, who focused on social security disability cases, had been in private practice since 1965. Logan praised Moss for 38 years of service as city judge and for conducting his courtroom with dignity and fairness. Mayor Tom Rowland said flags are being flown at half-staff in memory of Moss and city court has been suspended for two weeks. WDEF News 12 has additional details.

The family will receive friends at 4:30 p.m. tomorrow in the Bradley County Commission Room in the Bradley County Courthouse. The reception and short memorial service will honor the life of Judge Moss, who died Monday. The Chattanoogan has more

TBA senior counselor and retired Nashville lawyer John William "J.W. Bill” Martin died July 2 at age 87. A veteran of World War II, Martin graduated from Southeastern University in Washington, D.C. and attended the then-Nashville YMCA Law School. He earned his law degree from the then-McKenzie College of Law in Chattanooga. Martin spent much of his career at the Tennessee Department of Employment Security, retiring as senior claimant hearing officer in 1995. He spent his latter days in Murfreesboro. No services will be held as Martin donated his body to Meharry Medical College. The Tennessean has more on his life.

The funeral of former Tennessean editor John Seigenthaler was “a mixture of centuries-old Catholic ritual, social justice rally and close family reunion,” the paper reports in its coverage of today’s service, which brought luminaries from political, religious and music worlds to Nashville. More than 1,000 people, including members of the Kennedy family, former Vice President Al Gore and a host of current and former leaders, gathered at the Cathedral of the Incarnation this morning. Father Charles Strobel, founder of a homeless outreach in Nashville, delivered the eulogy. Honorary pall bearers included Gov. Bill Haslam, Sen. Lamar Alexander, Rep. Jim Cooper, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, former Vice President Albert Gore Jr., former Sen. James Sasser, former Gov. Phil Bredesen, George E. Barrett, Lew Conner, Hal Hardin and Judge Gilbert Merritt. Watch the service or see photos on the Tennessean’s website.

Among those weighing in with tributes is Tennessee Chief Justice Gary Wade, who said Seigenthaler was a staunch advocate of civil rights and “perhaps the greatest defender" of the First Amendment since adoption of the U.S. Constitution. Wade also praised Seigenthaler’s commitment to a fair and impartial judiciary.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Amendment Center, 1207 18th Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37212 or to Room in the Inn, P.O. Box 25309, Nashville, TN 37202.

Retired Loudon County General Sessions Judge William Henry "Bill" Russell, 75, died July 10. A graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law, Russell began practicing law in the county but later moved to Nashville to work for Gov. Winfield Dunn, serving as assistant commissioner of conservation and administrative assistant. In 1974, he returned to Loudon County and was elected county judge. While maintaining an active law practice through the 1980s, Russell established Southeastern Title & Abstract Company and worked for a time as an assistant in the Ninth Judicial District Attorney's Office. He was elected to the General Sessions Court in 1998. A memorial service will be held July 22 at 7 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church, 301 Hickory Creek Rd., Lenoir City 37771. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund, 105 Westpark Dr., Brentwood, TN 37027. Knoxnews has more on his life.

John Seigenthaler, legendary Tennessee journalist, political figure, intimate confidant to two near-presidents and fierce advocate for racial equality, died today at his home surrounded by family. He was 86. A Nashville native, Seigenthaler served as editor and publisher of the Tennessean for almost 30 years. Under his leadership, the newspaper covered historic events such as the Nashville lunch counter sit-ins and the early swearing-in of then Gov. Lamar Alexander. On the national scene, Seigenthaler served as an advisor to former Attorney General Bobby Kennedy and former Vice President Al Gore. He was active in the Freedom Rides movement and negotiated a deal with then-Alabama Gov. John Patterson that state troopers would protect students participating in the rides. A four-time published author, Seigenthaler also founded the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University in 1991.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the John Seigenthaler Center on Vanderbilt University's campus. A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the Cathedral of the Incarnation on West End Ave. The Tennessean and News Channel 5 have profiles of his life.

The son of Brentwood Municipal Court Judge Laurie D. Jewett died in a boating accident on Old Hickory Lake on July 4. James Regen Jewett, 26, was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman and was active in his church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Youth Ministries of First Presbyterian Church, 4815 Franklin Rd., Nashville, TN 37220; Montgomery Bell Academy's General Scholarship Fund, 4001 Harding Pk., Nashville, TN 37205; or the charity of one’s choice. The Brentwood Home Page and Tennessean have more on Jewett's life.

Vice President Joe Biden, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker were among the dozens of dignitaries attending the funeral service for former Senate Majority Leader Howard H. Baker Jr.  today in his hometown of Huntsville, the Tennessean reports. Baker died last week following complications from a stroke. His body lay in repose yesterday at the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy at the University of Tennessee, Knoxnews reports. He was laid to rest with full military honors following the service.

Former Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker died today at his home in Huntsville, the Associated Press reports. He was 88. Baker, who served 18 years in the U.S. Senate, was the first Republican to be popularly elected to the Senate from Tennessee, and later served as a chief of staff to President Ronald Reagan and as U.S. Ambassador to Japan. Baker was a major figure in national politics for many years. During the 1973 Watergate hearings, Baker helped focus a nation’s attention on President Richard Nixon’s involvement, turning what many had seen as a political scandal into a phenomenon that would shake up American politics. In 1984, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. “Howard Baker was Tennessee’s favorite son, one of America’s finest leaders and for Honey and me an indispensable friend,” U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander said in a statement. “He built our state’s two-party political system and inspired three generations to try to build a better state and country," The Tennessean reports. Baker was also a well-respected lawyer with Baker Donelson, the firm that his grandfather founded. He spoke about the importance of the law and the profession during a 2005 interview for the Tennessee Bar Association.

Former Tennessee state representative and Kingsport businessman Michael K. Locke was killed last night when he was struck by a vehicle while standing on the shoulder of the road. The driver of the vehicle allegedly fled the scene but was arrested a short time later, Knoxnews reports. Locke, 61, was chair of the Bud Hulsey campaign for the 2nd District seat he formerly held in the House of Representatives. He was placing a campaign sign when he was struck by the vehicle and knocked into a deep ravine.

Longtime Ninth District Public Defender Joe Walker died Wednesday (June 18) at a West Knoxville hospital. He was 69. Walker was named public defender in September 1989 and was first elected to the position in August 1990. In May 1991, he and his son were involved in a car wreck that left them both quadriplegics. The accident did not stop him from doing his job, Assistant Ninth Judicial District Public Defender Walter Johnson told Knoxnews. Funeral services are pending.