Thomas Gibbs Gee

GEE, THOMAS GIBBS (1925~1994) Thomas Gibbs Gee, Judge, United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, was born in Jacksonville, Florida on December 9, 1925. Upon going to college, he attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he graduated in 1946. After receiving his BS, Gee entered the Army Air Forces and later the Air Force, where he obtained the rank of Lieutenant.

After serving four years in the military, he attended the University of Texas Law School, where he graduated first in his class and served as Editor-In-Chief of the Texas Law Review. After receiving his LL.B. in 1953, Gee practiced in Austin in the Law firm of Graves, Daugherty, Gee, Hearon, Moody & Garwood. In addition to being an attorney, Gee also served on the Board of St. Stephen's Episcopal School, the vestry of All Saints Episcopal Church, and in many other civic activities. Gee also was a member of the American Law Institute, the American Judicature Society, the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, and a charter member of the Texas Bar Foundation.

On June 11, 1973, Gee was nominated by President Richard Nixon to take a seat on the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which was vacated by Joe McDonald Ingraham. Gee was confirmed by the Senate on July 13, 1973, and received his commission on July 18, 1973. While on the Court, "Gee distinguished himself as a lucid writer and thoughtful jurist . . ." whose "wit and intellect endeared him to his colleagues."

After serving 18 years on the Court, Gee retired on February 1, 1991, where he devoted his time to his favorite hobbies: hunting and fishing. Judge Gee died October 25, 1994 in Houston, Texas and was buried in the Texas State Cemetery.

Information taken from Governor's Proclamation and Federal Judicial Center: History of the Federal Judiciary. "Gee, Thomas Gibbs." http://air.fjc.gov/servlet/uGetInfo?jid=832. February 9, 2000.