AUGUSTA — A funeral has been held for former Judge John H. "Jack" Ruffin Jr. in Augusta.
Ruffin was the first black Court of Appeals chief judge. He was also the first black member of the Augusta Bar Association and the first black Augusta Superior Court judge.
City commissioners decided last year that his name will be featured on the new Richmond County judicial center that's under construction.
The Augusta Chronicle reported on the Saturday funeral.
Ruffin died Feb. 26 at age 75. He is survived by his wife, his son, his father and two grandchildren.
The Burke County native started his law career as an Augusta civil rights attorney, filing lawsuits that desegregated school systems in Richmond and Burke counties.
