Tom Radney
John Tomas Radney (June 18, 1932 – August 7, 2011) was an American Democratic politician and lawyer from Alabama.[1]
Early life
Radney was born on June 18, 1932 in Wadley, Alabama. He graduated from Wadley High School at the age of 16. He graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor's degree in education and a master's in history in 1952. He then received his law degree from The University of Alabama School of Law in 1955 and was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 1955. He served in the Judge Advocate General's Corps, United States Army serving as the rank of First Lieutenant after completing post Juris Doctorate training at the United States Army Law School at the University of Virginia.
He married Madolyn Boyd Anderson of Montgomery in 1962 after opening his law practice in Alexander City, Alabama in 1960.
Political career
Radney was a law clerk for the Alabama Supreme Court before becoming City Judge of Alexander City from 1961-1972.
He was a delegate to four Democratic National Conventions beginning in 1960 with John F. Kennedy's presidential nomination. He served in the Alabama State Senate from 1967–1971.
He was also a delegate to the contentious 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago where he did not support George Wallace's nomination for President but supported Ted Kennedy. Radney received many death threats to his family after this convention and for his many other outspoken actions of progressive change. For the safety of his family, he left politics vowing to never run again. However, he could not stay away and ran in the Democratic Primary for Lieutenant Governor of Alabama in 1970. He finished third out of eleven, just missing the runoff.
He served on the Alabama Democratic Executive Committee from 1966-1972.
Radney was known in Alabama and the South as "Mr. Democrat." He fought for equality and integration before it was popular. As Senator he worked to lower the voting age to 18, increase funding for elementary education, and is the namesake to the "Radney Rule" which ensures that politicians do not jump from party to party between election cycles just to ensure a victory.
Prominent Court Cases
Radney was known to enter a courtroom without a document or legal pad in hand because of his extensive knowledge of the case and law. He won many prominent civil and criminal court cases including the Maxwell case. http://heartofdixienewspage2.blogspot.com/2011/08/radneys-case-caught-harper-lees-eye.html
Accomplishments
He was Chairman of Alabama State University Board of Trustees, member of the Russell Medical Center Board of Directors for more than 25 years, president of the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce, long-time member of the Alabama Democratic Executive Committee, Chairman of the Tallapoosa County Democratic Party, president of the Tallapoosa County Young Democrats, member of the Carraway Methodist Hospital Board of Trustees, member of the American Legion, member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, member of the Kiwanis Club of Alexander City, member of the Elks Lodge, a mason, and member of the Huntingdon College Board of Trustees. In 1977, he was selected as Alexander City's Man of the Year. He was a long-time member of First United Methodist Church of Alexander City, where he held many offices, including chairman of the Administrative Board.
On January 16, 2003 Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman declared the day "Tom Radney Day" in the State of Alabama.
Family
Radney died in his home on August 7, 2011. His wife Madolyn Radney still lives in Alexander City along with their children Ellen Radney Price, Fran Radney Harvey, Hollis Radney Lovett (Michael), and Thomas Radney (Catie). He has 11 grandchildren: Madolyn Price, Anna Lee Price, Elizabeth Harvey, Margaret Harvey, Luke Harvey, Thomas Lovett, William Lovett, Radney Lovett, Anderson Radney, Finlay Radney, and Cecilia Radney.
His former law office, Radney, Radney and Jackson, LLC, is still practicing in Alexander City. http://www.radneylaw.com
Notes
- http://www.wsfa.com/story/15224935/fmr-senator-tom-radney-dies-at-age-79
- http://www.alexcityoutlook.com/2011/08/08/‘big-tom’-radney-leaves-big-legacy/
- http://blog.al.com/wire/2010/11/alabamas_proudest_democrat_vow.html
http://www.leftinalabama.com/diary/8559/tom-radney