| James N. Bloodworth | |
| Office: | Justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama |
| Term Start: | 1968 |
| Term End: | 1980 |
| Predecessor: | John P. Kohn |
| Successor: | Oscar W. Adams Jr. |
| Birth Name: | James Nelson Bloodworth |
| Birth Date: | 21 January 1921 |
| Birth Place: | Decatur, Alabama, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. |
| Party: | Democratic |
| Spouse: | Jean Gregg |
| Children: | 3 |
| Education: | University of Alabama (BS) University of Alabama School of Law (LLB) |
| Profession: | Judge |
| Allegiance: | United States |
| Branch: | United States Army |
| Rank: | Lieutenant colonel |
| Battles: | World War II |
James Nelson Bloodworth (January 21, 1921 – December 28, 1980) was a justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama from 1968 to 1980.
Born in Decatur, Alabama, Bloodworth received a B.S. from the University of Alabama School of Commerce and Business Administration in 1942, and entered the United States Army the following year,[1] serving in World War II.[2] He received an LL.B. from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1947.[1] [2] Bloodworth began the practice of law in Decatur, working in that field for eleven years, and also serving on the state Board of Pardons, and as a judge of the Decatur Recorder's Court from 1948 to 1951.[1] [2] Bloodworth remained in the U.S. Army Reserve following his military service, ultimately retiring from service as a lieutenant colonel.[1]
In 1958, Bloodworth was elected as a circuit judge of the Alabama Eighth Judicial Circuit, and was reelected to that position in 1964.[1] [2] In November 1968, he ran for a seat on the Alabama Supreme Court vacated by the death of John L. Goodwyn,[1] [2] the seat having been filled in the interim by the appointment of John P. Kohn. In support of his candidacy, Bloodworth "visited every courthouse in the state".[2] After winning the nomination of the Democratic Party, he was unopposed in the general election.[3] He was reelected to a full term in 1970, and again in 1976, but retired from the bench in September 1980 due to health problems.[1] [2]
James Nelson Bloodworth married Jean Gregg of Decatur,[2] with whom he had three daughters, all of whom survived him.[1]
Bloodworth died three months later in a hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, at the age of 59.[1]