This Friday, February 23, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. in the Ceremonial Courtroom, 201 Caroline St. – 17th floor, a historic portrait unveiling and dedication ceremony will be held to honor the history of public service and to commemorate the life of one of the icons of the state of Texas’ judicial system – Judge John W. Peavy, Jr.
Judge Peavy is a man of many ‘firsts’ and is not a stranger to making history.
A native Houstonian and the son of a noted civic leader and educator, John W. Peavy, Sr., Judge Peavy worked as a White House staffer to President Lyndon B. Johnson while attending law school. Upon his appointment by Governor Dolph Briscoe in 1977, Judge Peavy became the first African American to serve as the first Family Law Judge in the state of Texas for the 246th District Court of Texas (1977-1994). In 1995, Judge Peavy became a Senior District Court Judge, having previously served as an administrative Judge for Family Courts and having started mediation in the family court system.
Prior to his banner breaking appointment, Judge Peavy was also selected by Harris County Commissioners Court to serve as the first African American Justice of the Peace in the state of Texas for Precinct 7, Position 2. Judge Peavy’s public service career also includes his tenure as an At-Large Member of Houston City Council, where he initiated the International Committee and chaired the Regulatory Affairs Committee.
Judge Peavy is a graduate of Phillis Wheatley Senior High School, Howard University School of Business and Howard University School of Law. He is married to Diane Peavy and has four children.
Three other judges will be honored with Judge Peavy during the ceremony: Judge Don Ritter, Judge Jim York and Judge Charley Prine, Jr.