In Memoriam, July - August 2023

James T. Buckley, age 84, of Sedalia, on April 26, 2023. Buckly was a lawyer at Brown & McCloskey before founding his own firm. He graduated from the University of Missouri and was admitted to The Missouri Bar in 1963. Buckley served in the Missouri Air National Guard.

Claron M. Cole, age 79, of Shenandoah, IA, on Jan. 23, 2023. Cole founded Thunderline Management Company. He graduated from the Washburn University School of Law and was admitted to The Missouri Bar in 2007. Cole served in the U.S. Navy.

Harriet F. “Hattie” Francis, age 67, of Moberly, on Aug. 20, 2022. Francis graduated from the University of Missouri and was admitted to The Missouri Bar in 1995.

Kent Fulton, age 73, of Hilton Head Island, SC, on May 3, 2023. Fulton was admitted to The Missouri Bar in 1976.

Gerald M. “Jerry” Handley, age 80, of Kansas City, on March 31, 2023. Handley was a public defender and later practiced in private criminal defense. He graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law and was admitted to The Missouri Bar in 1972. Handley received The Missouri Bar Foundation’s Lon O. Hocker award in 1977. He served in the U.S. Army.

Randall B. Johnston, age 74, of Columbia, on March 28, 2023. Johnston served as Callaway County assistant prosecuting attorney and owned a private practice. He graduated from the University of Missouri School of Law and was admitted to The Missouri Bar in 1986.

Bobby Joe William “B.J.” Jones, age 84, of Washington D.C., on May 7, 2023. Jones was an assistant attorney general and worked in the Attorney General’s Office for 26 years. He graduated from the University of Missouri School of Law and was admitted to The Missouri Bar in 1965. Jones served in the U.S. Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Reserve.

Leonard H. “Len” Karpowich Jr., age 62, of St. Louis, on Jan. 13, 2022. Karpowich was vice president and counsel for Aon/Ace/Chubb Insurance Group; director of regulatory affairs for United Health Group; and senior counsel for Kemper Life. He graduated from the DePaul University School of Law and was admitted to The Missouri Bar in 2019.

Mark J. Klein, age 90, of Lenexa, KS, on Oct. 26, 2022. Klein owned a private practice for 40 years and was a lawyer in the U.S. Air Force. He graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law and New York University School of Law. Klein was admitted to The Missouri Bar in 1956.

Claude C. Knight, age 75, of St. Charles, on May 28, 2023. Knight practiced law for over 40 years and was admitted to The Missouri Bar in 1973.

Robert M. Phipps, age 92, of Lexington, KY, on Aug. 5, 2021. Phipps was a retired lawyer and served in the U.S. military. Phipps was admitted to The Missouri Bar in 1966.

John H. Schmidt, age 75, of Springfield, on April 25, 2023. Schmidt practiced law in Missouri for nearly 50 years in estate planning, trust and probate administration, and business organization and transactions. He founded Schmidt, Kirby and Sullivan. Schmidt graduated from the University of Missouri School of Law and was admitted to The Missouri Bar in 1975. Schmidt served in the U.S. Army.

James B. Slusher, age 91, of Kansas City, on March 24, 2023. Slusher was an associate general counsel at Kansas City Life Insurance Company. He graduated from the University of Missouri School of Law and was admitted to The Missouri Bar in 1958. Slusher served in the U.S. military.

Harold Alan “Hal” Tzinberg, age 73, of St. Louis, on Nov. 16, 2022. Tzinberg was a real estate lawyer for 48 years and a partner at Stinson LLP. He was admitted to The Missouri Bar in 1974.