Blanton retires after 23 years as magistrate judge

A virtual who's who of Southeast Missouri lawyers and judges filled the federal courthouse atrium Friday afternoon in Cape Girardeau to celebrate the career of retiring U.S. Magistrate Judge Lewis M. Blanton.

Blanton served as an associate judge in Scott County before being named the first sitting U.S. magistrate judge for the southeastern division of the Eastern District of Missouri in 1991.

Retired U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Sr. said Blanton's work in Scott County served him well on the federal bench.

"He could hit the ground running because of his experience in the state court," he said.

Limbaugh's son, U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr., drew laughter with his description of Blanton's office, which he said was packed with books, periodicals and paperwork.

Retiring U.S. Magistrate Judge Lewis M. Blanton, left, enjoys a quip by U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. at a celebration for Blanton on Friday at the Rush Hudson Limbaugh Sr. U.S. Courthouse in Cape Girardeau. Also seated, from left, are Chief U.S. District Judge Catherine D. Perry, U.S. Magistrate Judge David D. Noce, Joseph Perry Rice III and retired U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh. More pictures are in a gallery at semissourian.com. (Fred Lynch)

"For the first time in five and a half years, I saw the top of his desk. I saw the top of his conference table. It's beautiful. I also saw three or four chairs I didn't know existed," he said.

Blanton's office looks different now, Limbaugh Jr. said.

"It's sort of blank and austere now," he said. "The nostalgia's already setting in for me. I think I liked it better the way it was. ... It was the office of a man who was fully committed to his calling."

Lewis M. Blanton

Attorney Joseph Perry Rice III, who has known Blanton since his days practicing law in Scott County, described him as "a man of faith, great intelligence, integrity beyond question."

Rice described an instance early in Blanton's judicial career when a veteran lawyer made a dismissive comment about him in court.

Blanton had sustained Rice's objection to something the lawyer had done. In a stage whisper, the disgruntled lawyer told his client, "He's a young buck and doesn't know what he's doing," Rice said.

Blanton handled the situation smoothly, Rice said, establishing control while giving the man a chance to avoid an uncomfortable confrontation.

"In a very calm voice, with just a touch of aggravation, he said, 'I'm sorry -- I didn't hear you. Did you have something to say?' ... It was the response of a man with immense patience, immense confidence and immense talent," he said.

Limbaugh Sr. said when Blanton ran for associate judge, he became "a consummate politician."

"He'd hold the hands of old people, he'd kiss babies, he went to all of the church barbecues and chicken dinners and anywhere else there were more than five people," he said.

Blanton's efforts paid off.

"Some candidates could win half of the county and lose the other half. Lewis won both," Limbaugh Sr. said. "He was able to carry Sikeston and the northern part of Scott County as well."

Blanton said his longtime judicial assistant, Marcella Mack, also is retiring after working with him for 28 years, first in Scott County and then at the federal level.

"It's kind of funny, the feelings at a time like this," Blanton said. "It's mixed, because what you do becomes a part of you, and when you retire, you leave that part behind, but it's ... an excellent court, and I have enjoyed the privilege of working here."

Abbie Crites-Leoni was sworn in Friday to replace Blanton.

Crites-Leoni previously served as assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri.

epriddy@semissourian.com

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