Jean A. Turnage Explained

Jean Allen Turnage^[1] (March 10, 1926 – September 27, 2015) was the chief justice of the Montana Supreme Court from 1985 until 2000.

He was born in St. Ignatius, Montana. He served in the United States Army Air Corps after high school. He studied on the G.I. Bill at Montana State University, predecessor of the University of Montana.

In 1952, he became Lake County's attorney.^[2] He served two years in the Montana House of Representatives and 20 years in the Montana State Senate including as senate president in 1981 session.^[2]

He ran successfully for Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court in 1984, serving two terms before retiring in January 2001.^[2]

Turnage was an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes^[3] He had two children.^[3]

Notes and References

1. Book: Who's Who in American Law, 2002-2003. 2002. Marquis Who's Who. 661.
2. Web site: Former Chief Justice Jean Turnage dies at 89. Associated Press. The Billings Gazette.
3. Web site: Former Chief Justice Jean Turnage Dies at 89. September 28, 2015. Flathead Beacon.