6/24/02

State Bar leaders have expressed deep sadness on the death of Theodore Souris, a former justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, who succumbed to leukemia on June 21, 2002, in Chicago. He was 76 years old.

Souris was first appointed to the Michigan Supreme Court in January 1960 by former Governor G. Mennen Williams, and elected in November the same year to a term expiring in 1969. At age 33, he was the youngest justice to have served on the high court. He was also the first person of Greek heritage to serve on any state's highest appellate court. He returned to private practice, concentrating on business law, after his service to the Supreme Court.

"Ted Souris was one of the finest lawyers ever practiced in this state," said Bruce W. Neckers, president of the State Bar of Michigan. "He had a remarkable career as a lawyer and jurist and he will be missed by all of us."

The executive director of the State Bar, John T. Berry, said he learned of the tremendous integrity of Justice Souri early in his tenure. "I was fortunate to begin corresponding with him recently and learned of his gracious manner. It is a great loss to us all and my prayers go out to his family and friends," Berry said.

Born and raised in Detroit, Souris served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and returned to earn his law degree at the University of Michigan in 1949. Other career highlights include serving as general counsel for the Office of Price Stabilization in Michigan and as Wayne County circuit court judge. He was also the first chair of the State Board of Canvassers from 1954 to 1959 and, a member of the state's Board of Ethics from 1974 to 1984. Justice Souris was the founding member of the Hellenic American Bar Association.

His wife, Karla Scherer, four children and seven grandchildren survive Souris.

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