1938
Judge
2020
Judge Joe Spurlock Ii
January 29, 1938 — June 9, 2020
Judge Joe Spurlock II lived life to the fullest. As a Texas native, he spent most days in his boots and cowboy hat surrounded by family & friends with a big smile, and a helping hand.
He graduated from Texas A&M University as a Member of the Corps of Cadets, Judge Spurlock received his J.D. from the University of Texas and his LL.M. from the University of Virginia. His love of teaching led to his dream of starting a law school in the DFW area, currently Texas A&M School of Law. Judge Spurlock wanted to teach future attorneys the importance of learning the rule of law, but also the determination and compassion to succeed in the practice of law, and life. He founded the Asian Judicial Institute and spent 25 years committed to specialized judicial reform in Mongolia.
Judge Spurlock was a Boy Scout Master and District Chairman, Council committee member and regional representative for the Boy Scouts of America. As a veteran of the U. S. Army, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Vietnam. He additionally served as an Assistant Criminal D.A., a member of the Texas Legislature, a Trial Court Judge in Tarrant County and an Appellate Court Justice on the Second Court of Appeals.
Judge Spurlock’s passion for the law was unparalleled. His family is proud of the legacy he created as a gifted law professor, judge, and mentor. His memorial service will be at Greenwood Memorial Park, 3100 White Settlement Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76102, on July 31, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.
On Friday, July 31, 2020 at 10:00 A.M., a Live Stream of Judge Spurlock's committal service will be viewable here:
https://video.ibm.com/channel/DURgpAb2EXm
Judge Joe Spurlock II is predeceased by his parents; Joe C. Spurlock, Clarice Spurlock, his sister, Roma Sue Spurlock, and his son, Joe Clarence Marlin Spurlock III.
Survived by: Loving wife, Cheri Spurlock. Darling daughters, Allison Spurlock, Kathryn Spurlock, Suzanne Spurlock, and Nicole Armendarez, and husband Jesse Armendarez; eight grandchildren. Brother, Dean and wife Joanna Spurlock & Sister, Kay and husband Jay Heizer.
Texas A&M University School of Law mourns the passing of Judge Joe Spurlock II, senior professor of law and director of the Asian Judicial Institute. Judge Spurlock – a colleague, friend and legal legend – became a founding faculty member of the law school when its long-term success was considered wishful thinking by many. By the time he joined the faculty, Judge Spurlock had already spent years in private practice and served as an assistant criminal district attorney, a member of the Texas Legislature, a trial court judge and an appellate justice.
Judge Spurlock’s gamble on the law school proved prescient, as evident its meteoric rise in the ensuing years. Judge Spurlock’s dedication to the institution and engagement with its students and the legal community was central to that progress.
"Judge Spurlock was my first mentor in my law career 19 years ago,” commented colleague Lynn Rodriguez. “I would always reach out to him and he would give the best advice. He was funny, intelligent, kind and the best professor. I love him. I am beyond sad right now."
Over the years, his students have exhibited a fierce loyalty to him – cherishing not only his insights into family law, juvenile justice, legislation and more, but likewise the wisdom he imparted about the nature of effective lawyering. Third-year student Courtney Gately, who studied with him this spring, described his knowledge of the Texas Family Code as unmatched; he rarely had to look at it, even when quoting from it. His anecdotes, recollections and “Spurlockisms” made him a favorite professor both in class and for student swearing-in ceremonies.
Legal reform and advancing the Rule of Law were among his passions – ones which ultimately led him to meetings with the president and prime minister of Mongolia, among others upon whom he pressed the importance of an independent judiciary. The founding of the Asian Judicial Institute, which Judge Spurlock led for years, occurred soon thereafter.
Judge Spurlock’s passion for the law, justice and legal education were innate. He was the son of Clarice Spurlock, the first woman elected to the Fort Worth City Council in 1953. His grandfather, Sheriff Joe G. Spurlock of Throckmorton County, Texas, died in 1910, two days after being shot while attempting to serve a warrant. His father, Joe C. Spurlock, was himself a trial and appellate court judge who helped create the Texas Trial Lawyers Association. Otis Rogers, his great-uncle, was a Fort Worth attorney, as is his brother Dean Spurlock.
Outside of his roles as a professor, judge, lawyer and civic advisor, Judge Spurlock has served in other capacities as well. He was a Boy Scout Master and District Chairman, Council committee member and regional representative for the Boy Scouts of America. In the U.S. Army, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Vietnam. He is active in his church, where he taught adult Sunday school for many years.
Judge Joe baseball hat-1A 1960 economics graduate of Texas A&M University and a member of the Corps of Cadets, Judge Spurlock received his J.D. from the University of Texas and his LL.M. in Judicial Process from the University of Virginia.
The Texas native, affectionately called "Father Texas," was never far from his boots and cowboy hat. His friendly wave and daily presence will be sorely missed by the Texas A&M School of Law faculty, staff and students.
Bobby Ahdieh, dean of Texas A&M Law, said of his friend and colleague: “Judge Joe Spurlock was the human embodiment of the Aggie Core Values. As a public servant, a professor and a legal reformer, he was tireless in his labors. Unfailingly polite, direct when circumstances demanded and, yet, always judicious, he will be terribly missed. Here at the law school, we were honored to count him as our colleague, our teacher and our friend.”
“Whether studying, practicing, enforcing, making, judging, or teaching the law, I have generally enjoyed the activities I’ve done and the people I’ve met doing so. A life of service in the law is neither irksome nor tedious; it is ever-changing, providing daily opportunities for personal growth and satisfaction.” – Judge Joe Spurlock II
He graduated from Texas A&M University as a Member of the Corps of Cadets, Judge Spurlock received his J.D. from the University of Texas and his LL.M. from the University of Virginia. His love of teaching led to his dream of starting a law school in the DFW area, currently Texas A&M School of Law. Judge Spurlock wanted to teach future attorneys the importance of learning the rule of law, but also the determination and compassion to succeed in the practice of law, and life. He founded the Asian Judicial Institute and spent 25 years committed to specialized judicial reform in Mongolia.
Judge Spurlock was a Boy Scout Master and District Chairman, Council committee member and regional representative for the Boy Scouts of America. As a veteran of the U. S. Army, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Vietnam. He additionally served as an Assistant Criminal D.A., a member of the Texas Legislature, a Trial Court Judge in Tarrant County and an Appellate Court Justice on the Second Court of Appeals.
Judge Spurlock’s passion for the law was unparalleled. His family is proud of the legacy he created as a gifted law professor, judge, and mentor. His memorial service will be at Greenwood Memorial Park, 3100 White Settlement Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76102, on July 31, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.
On Friday, July 31, 2020 at 10:00 A.M., a Live Stream of Judge Spurlock's committal service will be viewable here:
https://video.ibm.com/channel/DURgpAb2EXm
Judge Joe Spurlock II is predeceased by his parents; Joe C. Spurlock, Clarice Spurlock, his sister, Roma Sue Spurlock, and his son, Joe Clarence Marlin Spurlock III.
Survived by: Loving wife, Cheri Spurlock. Darling daughters, Allison Spurlock, Kathryn Spurlock, Suzanne Spurlock, and Nicole Armendarez, and husband Jesse Armendarez; eight grandchildren. Brother, Dean and wife Joanna Spurlock & Sister, Kay and husband Jay Heizer.
Texas A&M University School of Law mourns the passing of Judge Joe Spurlock II, senior professor of law and director of the Asian Judicial Institute. Judge Spurlock – a colleague, friend and legal legend – became a founding faculty member of the law school when its long-term success was considered wishful thinking by many. By the time he joined the faculty, Judge Spurlock had already spent years in private practice and served as an assistant criminal district attorney, a member of the Texas Legislature, a trial court judge and an appellate justice.
Judge Spurlock’s gamble on the law school proved prescient, as evident its meteoric rise in the ensuing years. Judge Spurlock’s dedication to the institution and engagement with its students and the legal community was central to that progress.
"Judge Spurlock was my first mentor in my law career 19 years ago,” commented colleague Lynn Rodriguez. “I would always reach out to him and he would give the best advice. He was funny, intelligent, kind and the best professor. I love him. I am beyond sad right now."
Over the years, his students have exhibited a fierce loyalty to him – cherishing not only his insights into family law, juvenile justice, legislation and more, but likewise the wisdom he imparted about the nature of effective lawyering. Third-year student Courtney Gately, who studied with him this spring, described his knowledge of the Texas Family Code as unmatched; he rarely had to look at it, even when quoting from it. His anecdotes, recollections and “Spurlockisms” made him a favorite professor both in class and for student swearing-in ceremonies.
Legal reform and advancing the Rule of Law were among his passions – ones which ultimately led him to meetings with the president and prime minister of Mongolia, among others upon whom he pressed the importance of an independent judiciary. The founding of the Asian Judicial Institute, which Judge Spurlock led for years, occurred soon thereafter.
Judge Spurlock’s passion for the law, justice and legal education were innate. He was the son of Clarice Spurlock, the first woman elected to the Fort Worth City Council in 1953. His grandfather, Sheriff Joe G. Spurlock of Throckmorton County, Texas, died in 1910, two days after being shot while attempting to serve a warrant. His father, Joe C. Spurlock, was himself a trial and appellate court judge who helped create the Texas Trial Lawyers Association. Otis Rogers, his great-uncle, was a Fort Worth attorney, as is his brother Dean Spurlock.
Outside of his roles as a professor, judge, lawyer and civic advisor, Judge Spurlock has served in other capacities as well. He was a Boy Scout Master and District Chairman, Council committee member and regional representative for the Boy Scouts of America. In the U.S. Army, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Vietnam. He is active in his church, where he taught adult Sunday school for many years.
Judge Joe baseball hat-1A 1960 economics graduate of Texas A&M University and a member of the Corps of Cadets, Judge Spurlock received his J.D. from the University of Texas and his LL.M. in Judicial Process from the University of Virginia.
The Texas native, affectionately called "Father Texas," was never far from his boots and cowboy hat. His friendly wave and daily presence will be sorely missed by the Texas A&M School of Law faculty, staff and students.
Bobby Ahdieh, dean of Texas A&M Law, said of his friend and colleague: “Judge Joe Spurlock was the human embodiment of the Aggie Core Values. As a public servant, a professor and a legal reformer, he was tireless in his labors. Unfailingly polite, direct when circumstances demanded and, yet, always judicious, he will be terribly missed. Here at the law school, we were honored to count him as our colleague, our teacher and our friend.”
“Whether studying, practicing, enforcing, making, judging, or teaching the law, I have generally enjoyed the activities I’ve done and the people I’ve met doing so. A life of service in the law is neither irksome nor tedious; it is ever-changing, providing daily opportunities for personal growth and satisfaction.” – Judge Joe Spurlock II
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Service Schedule
Past Services
Graveside Service
Friday, July 31, 2020
Starts at 10:00 am (Eastern time)
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