John T. Strauss, CLHS class of ’61, of Covington, Georgia, died September 22, 2006, at Heartland Hospice in Conyers, at the age of 63. From CLHS, John went on to Ohio State University and then the University of Georgia School of Law. He was admitted to the Georgia State Bar in 1967 and to the District of Columbia bar in 1968. He served as a federal law clerk, assistant U.S. Attorney, director of both Georgia clinics (prosecution and defense), instructor at the University of Georgia and Emory Law Schools, and worked as a district attorney. He had his own practice for over 18 years until he was selected as the Newton County public defender and then the Alcovy Circuit Public Defender in July of 2000. He was the first District Attorney for the Circuit and the first Public Defender. His obituary notes, “He loved cooking, sailing and his beloved Bulldogs.”
Information taken from the Alcovy Judicial Circuit Public Defender’s staff listings.
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Memories of John Straus
We all marveled at John’s intelligence – and he was so “professional” as senior class president and year book editor. I remember and laugh about our arguments about the roles of women. His view: their place was in the home. His favorite quote, “Educate a man; you educate an individual. Educate a woman and you educate a whole family.” For the 1960’s election, John and I were the “campaign” speakers – he for John Kennedy, I for Richard Nixon. Had I only known! John would probably be happy to know I’m a converted Democrat. Of course, we always thought he’d do something important, and his work in the public defender’s office was just that. My sympathies to his family.
Pat Larsen Schultz
