Editorial: A Silver State servant

Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2004 | 8:56 a.m.

Among the people speaking highly of District Judge Thomas Foley after he died in 1993 was his colleague on the bench, Myron Leavitt. "He's going to be missed because of his knowledge of the law, his dedication and his work ethic," Leavitt said of Foley.

The kind and true words that Leavitt spoke about Foley can now be said of himself. Leavitt died Friday here in Las Vegas, the city where he was born in 1930. He spent his whole life making contributions to his hometown and to his state.

At Las Vegas High School, Leavitt was an all-state football player and outstanding sprinter, winning the state championships in the 100- and 220-yard dashes. He was a leader the rest of his life as well. After graduating from law school, he started on the long journey of public service that led him to a seat on the Nevada Supreme Court. We always admired Leavitt for his willingness to brush himself off after a political defeat and jump back into the thick of things. Along the way he lost campaigns for district attorney, Las Vegas mayor, governor and U.S. representative. But his life is known more for the elected positions he did hold -- Las Vegas justice of the peace, county commissioner, city commissioner, lieutenant governor, District Court judge and Supreme Court justice. In 1998, when the District Court trial of child killer Jeremy Strohmeyer drew nati onal attention, Leavitt showed the country what he had shown us for years -- a knowledgeable and highly competent judge.

In addition to his political and judicial roles, Leavitt served on a dozen or more community boards over the course of his life as a public servant. The Myron Leavitt Middle School stands as a permanent honor to this man whose 73 years as a Las Vegan were well lived and much respected.