John W. Raley, Jr., who served as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma (1990-1997), died on April 6, 2018. Raley was appointed by President H.W. Bush and reappointed by President Clinton, the only sitting U.S. Attorney to be reappointed at that time. Raley also served as an assistant U.S. Attorney from 1961-1969 and was mayor of Ponca City, Oklahoma (1980-1982), and a municipal judge (2000-2004). He was also a captain in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He was a graduate of the University of Oklahoma Law School. Raley is the author of “Beyond the Gate: My Journey as an Oklahoma Boy.”
A celebration of his life will be held on April 12 at 2 PM at the First Baptist Church in Ponca City, OK. As is our custom, NAFUSA has requested that an American flag be flown over Main Justice in John’s honor and it will be presented to his family as a token of the regard with which he was held by his colleagues.
Former United States Attorney Peg Lautenschlager died from cancer early Saturday, March 31, 2018, at her home in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. She served as the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin from 1993-2001, including service on the AGAC. She also served as the Attorney General of Wisconsin (2003-2007), and as a state representative and as a local district attorney. She is a 1980 graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School.
Peg is survived by her husband, Bill Rippl and her five children and step-children. A memorial service will be held in Fond du Lac on April 15, 2018. Click here to view the obituary. As is our custom, NAFUSA has requested that an American flag be flown over Main Justice in Peg’s honor and it will be presented to her family as a token of the regard with which Peg was held by her colleagues.
Charles Hill Anderson passed away on January 9, 2018, at his home at the Army Residence Community in San Antonio, Texas. Anderson practiced law for over 50 years in Nashville and served as the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee (1969-1977). Anderson hired NAFUSA member Joe Brown and was succeeded in office by NAFUSA President Hal Hardin.
An American flag was flown over Main Justice today as a token of the admiration for which he was held by his colleagues. It will be presented by NAFUSA to his family. Private services were held in San Antonio and a subsequent private service will be held in Chattanooga. Anderson is survived by his children: Buton Hill Anderson, San Antonio, TX; Alicia Lea Waters, Bay City, TX; and Eric Scott Anderson, Washington, NJ.
After Don’s funeral on Thursday, February 1, 2018 at the Second Baptist Church in Houston, a reception was held at the home of Tim and Nancy Johnson. After having presented the NAFUSA flag to Catherine DeGabrielle as part of the memorial service at the church, a photo was taken at the reception. The participants are left to right: Angel Moreno, U.S. Attorney, Southern District of Texas 2010-2011; Catherine DeGabrielle, widow of Don DeGabrielle, U.S. Attorney, Southern District of Texas 2006-2008; Tim Johnson, U.S. Attorney, Southern District of Texas 2008-2010; Ron Woods, U.S. Attorney, Southern District of Texas 1990-1993; Johnny Sutton, U.S. Attorney, Western District of Texas 2001-2009; Paul Charlton, U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona 2001-2007.
On January 19, 2018, United States Attorney Richard W. Moore (Southern District of Alabama) hosted a flag presentation ceremony in his office in honor of William “Billy” A. Kimbrough, Jr., who passed away last year. NAFUSA President Hal Hardin presided and presented the flag to Mrs. Kimbrough on NAFUSA’s behalf. It had been flown over Main Justice in Billy’s honor. The ceremony was attended by many federal judges and former U.S. Attorneys, as well as Billy’s family.
In the photo above, Mrs. Kimbrough is joined by (left to right) Hal Hardin, J.Don Foster, Richard Moore and Kenyen Ray Brown.
NAFUSA member Donald J. DeGabrielle died Monday, January 22, 2018, from complications of liver disease. He was 64. Don served in the Southern District of Texas, 2006-2008. He served in the office as an assistant U.S. attorney for 20 years. He also was a FBI agent in New York and New Orleans, and chief of trials in Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office in New Orleans.
He was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana and received his undergraduate degree from McNeese State University and his law degree from Louisiana State University.
He is survived by his wife Catherine, daughter, Crystal, son, Hunter, brother Jeb Barsh, and sister Brandy Wheeler.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 1, 2018, at The Sanctuary at Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway, Houston. As is our custom, at our request an American flag was flown over Main Justice today in Don’s honor and will be presented to his family as a token of the respect with which he was held by his colleagues.
On November 9, 2017, NAFUSA President Hal Hardin presented the family of Ernie Williams with a flag flown over the Department of Justice in his honor. Ernie died in November, 2016. It is a tradition for NAFUSA to request the flying of an American flag which is presented to the families of former United States Attorneys during bereavement. The presentation took place in the Williamson County Historic Courthouse with family and friends in attendance. Williams was appointed by President Bush and served as US Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee from 1991-1993.
NAFUSA recently learned that William (“Billy”) Adams Kimbrough Jr passed away on March 31, 2017, after a long illness. Billy served as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama from 1977 to 1981, in the Carter Administration. He was an early and active member of NAFUSA until failing health kept him away. He was born in Selma, and was a long time resident of Mobile. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Kay, his daughter, Mary Elizabeth, both of Mobile, his son Will (Jessica), and granddaughters Emma and Sadie, all of Nashville, his sister Ann Kimbrough, of Spanish Fort, his brother Judge Hardie B. Kimbrough (Deanna) of Thomasville, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Billy graduated from the University of the South (Sewanee) where he played football. He graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law and then served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney during the Kennedy Administration. After his service as U.S. Attorney, he joined the firm of Turner Onderdonk from which he retired in 2012. Billy loved living in Mobile, practicing law, playing golf, and participating in the political and civic life of the city. He was elected to the Alabama Democratic Executive Committee in 1966, and volunteered in many political campaigns. He especially enjoyed his work with the Greater Gulf State Fair, serving as president in 1967.
As is our tradition, at the request of NAFUSA, on November 28, the Department of Justice flew an American flag over Main Justice in Billy’s honor and NAFUSA will present it in a commemorative box to his family as a token of the regard with which he was held by his colleagues.
Edward Bailey McDonough, Jr. passed away peacefully with his wife, Dianne, and family friends by his side on May 5, 2017 at the University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston after a battle with heart disease. Ed was one of the founding members of NAFUSA and a past president. He was born in Galveston, in a family with a long history in Galveston commerce, notably McDonough Iron Works. Ed attended Notre Dame earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. He then returned to Texas and graduated from the University of Texas School of Law.
After a year of private practice in Houston, Texas, Ed joined the Harris County District Attorney’s office. In 1969 he became an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, and a year later became Chief of the Criminal Division. In 1974 President Gerald D. Ford appointed Ed as United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas. His distinguished career included serving as lead prosecutor in the USA v. George Parr case involving voter fraud in South Texas, a chapter in Texas politics which gave rise to many books about the Duke of Duval, as the defendant was known. Ed also served as lead prosecutor in the case involving the bombing of the Pacifica Radio Station in Houston, Texas. In 1968 Congress authorized federal authorities to obtain court orders to intercept communications of individuals suspected of violating federal criminal laws. In the early 1970s, Ed tried in Federal Court in Victoria the first criminal case in the Southern District of Texas resulting from a court-authorized wiretap. After leaving public office, he pursued the private practice of law defending white-collar crime accused.
Ed McDonough’s work in law earned many honors and awards, including letters of commendation from the Attorney General of the United States, the Internal Revenue Service, and a Special Achievement Award from the Attorney General of the United States. He became Board Certified in Criminal Law and was also active in professional organizations for lawyers, including serving as a Director of the State Bar of Texas, a Fellow of the Houston and Texas Bar Foundations, the National Association of Former U.S. Attorneys (President, 1986-1987), Federal Bar Association, Southern District of Texas Chapter (President, 1976), the National Health Lawyers Association, the College of the State Bar of Texas (Director, 1995) and the American Health Lawyers Association. Ed lectured extensively, including to the National Home Health Care Association Annual Law Symposium, the American Bar Association Institute on White Collar Crime, the Texas Association for Home Care, the National Association of Former United States Attorneys, the Wednesday Tax Forum of Houston, and the Texas Health Defense Network. In 2014 the State Bar of Texas recognized Ed as a Fifty Year Lawyer.
Following the tradition of the McDonough clan’s association with the sea, Ed had a lifelong love affair with sailing. He was an accomplished sailor and was one of the first sailboat owners to be accepted by Lakewood Yacht Club where he moored “Caviar”, his prized 47’ sailboat.
Social activities rounded life and included lifelong associations with the Galveston Artillery Club, the Galveston Country Club, and the Alley Theater as a season ticket holder for 45 years. Ed and his wife, Dianne, never missed a Mardi Gras party and were active in Galveston through the Knights of Momus since its revival as a Galveston Mardi Gras Krewe in 1985. As a Charter Member of the Krewe of the Knights of Momus, he served as President, Ball Captain, Ball Chairman, and reigned over Galveston Mardi Gras as King Frivolous LXXXIV in 1999.
A deeply spiritual man and devout Catholic, Ed was a member of Saint Mary Basilica and served on the Advisory Board for Holy Cross Chapel, Houston, Texas. He served several decades on the Development Board for the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and was an Advisory Board member of the Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston.
Ed is survived by his wife Dianne of 41 years. Following a private burial, friends are cordially invited to a Rosary at 10:30 in the morning of Friday, May 12, 2017, at Saint Mary Basilica, 2011 Church in Galveston, Texas. A funeral Mass will immediately follow the Rosary. NAFUSA member Ron Woods will be among the honorary pallbearers. In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in Ed’s memory may be made to the Salvation Army, Saint Mary Basilica (Galveston), and the Alley Theatre.
As is our custom, NAFUSA arranged for an American flag to be flown over Main Justice on Monday, May 15, in honor of Ed, and Ron Woods presented it to Diane at the Galveston Artillery Club following the funeral as a token on the esteem in which Ed was held by his former colleagues.
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