By Karen Hall

Editor

Judge Robert Crigler's last day on the Circuit Court bench will be Wednesday, June 5, and a party was held Thursday morning to celebrate his retirement.

At press time, Gov. Bill Haslam had not appointed Crigler's successor, though an announcement can be expected at any time.

The first thing Crigler and his wife are planning after he retires is a leisurely driving trip across country to see their first grandchild.

"We'll see places we've never been," Crigler said, listing Yellowstone National Park, Mt. Rushmore, the cities of Vancouver and Seattle, and the redwood forests of Northern California.

This will be a complete change from the Criglers usual vacation.

"My wife is a beach person," he said, "So we usually go to the beach in August, but no beach this year."

General Sessions Court Judge Lee Bowles and Crigler's longtime secretary Kim Gentry organized the breakfast party, and local attorneys and courthouse staff flocked to the downstairs breakroom to wish Crigler well in his retirement.

"I'm available if they have questions," Crigler said.

He was appointed in 2005, succeeding Judge Charles Lee, and elected in 2006.

Before that, Crigler served for 16 years as a prosecutor in the 17th Judicial District, serving Marshall, Bedford, Lincoln and Moore counties.

"It's been an honor and a privilege to serve the people of the 17th Judicial District as a prosecutor and judge over the past 25 years," he said.

Crigler is a graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law and the University of Virginia, and also spent several years in private practice.

When he announced his retirement, Crigler said he had been "doing it long enough," noting that he has not had a break from legal work since he finished law school at the age of 24.

"It's time for a break," he said.

Five candidates applied to replace Crigler as 17th Judicial District Circuit Court Judge. The Judicial Nominating Commission interviewed them all in early March, and selected three, whose names were forwarded to Haslam.

The three are, in order of age from oldest to youngest, Forest A. Durard Jr. of Shelbyville, Barbara G. Medley of Lewisburg, and Brooke Grubb of Fayetteville.