Former Judge Merrill Hartman, Who Started South Dallas Legal Clinic, Died Late Thursday

• As a Family Court Counselor back in the 80s, it was a privilege to work with and be inspired by Judge Hartman, in our concerted efforts to encourage mediation of contested custody matters. On a personal level, I will not forget his call to me in the hospital when I had a melanoma and he shared his own experience with that beast. His life is proof that one person can make a difference. He will always be remembered. Thoughts and prayers to his family.

• Merrill was one of a kind. An outstanding person, husband, father, lawyer and judge. I had the honor of first meeting him at a summer class at SMU in 1962. Then he showed up as a law classmate at UT, where he and I reconnected, both gratuating in 1965. Merrill and I then went to Washington and worked together in Congressman Pickle's office, and have continued our friendship since then. I have missed the chance to visit with Merrill and Sally on their trips to Austin when he served on the Commission on Judicial Misconduct. On some of those trips, they would visit our Sunday School Class at University United Methodist Church, where Merrill would talk about his journey, and show that award winning video about child custody cases. Merrill had a real gusto for life, including serial hobbys such as motorcycles, weights, photos, music and many others--all done "full out."I am indeed saddened to know that he is gone, but have been so enriched by being a part of his incredibly interesting and fruitful life.

• My heart has been heavy with grief since learning of Merrill�s passing and yet amidst that grief I feel blessed to have known Merrill Hartman. He was a role model and mentor to many in the Dallas community. On a personal level he taught me about listening to promptings and acting on them, I hear his voice telling me not to ignore it, not to question it, just act on it. Merrill had a great legal mind, he was a great Judge, he was a gifted photographer, but more importantly he was a man of deep Christian faith, because of that faith he believed everyone should have equal access to the justice system. It was those beliefs that lead him to help start the North Texas legal aid neighborhood clinics. He had a wonderful quick dry wit that I hear he kept till the very end. I wish I could hear just one more of his corny jokes that he loved to tell. Of all the lives he touched and his many accomplishments Merrill�s greatest source of pride and joy was his marriage to his lifelong partner Sally, and their children and grandchildren. Sally you were his rock that allowed him to do so much and to touch so many lives. Sally, Bruce and I send our prayers and thought to you and your family on the loss of Merrill.

• Judge Hartman is the reason I am a lawyer. When I graduated college and had no direction he called me and asked me to come work in his court for a few weeks to get a taste for the law. I observed him try cases with dignity and respect for all parties. My experience led me to lawschool, and back to his Court to clerk in my 1st summer of law school. I have been practicing for 11 years, and any sucess I've have is due in no small part to the education in the law and in life I received from Judge. I will miss him and my life was blessed to know him. Tre' Kitchens

• Judge Hartman was an amazing man. Exemplary at all he endeavored. To me he was a mentor and role model. I know I was one of the so many people in his life he helped and guided, but he had a tremendous influence in my small little world. I will miss him.

• I was saddened this morning when I learned of Merrill's passing. Merrill and I first met in 1968 when he was an Assistant US Attorney and I was first learning where court rooms were. Over the years since, we have had many (but still too few) lunches over which we would discuss philosophy, faith, society and our responsibilities to each other and our communities. Merrill was always respectful of others, their feelings, their travails, their joys and their successes in which he would always seem to revel. I always felt a certain sense of pride when Merrill referred to me as "Pal" a salutation of special meaning when it came from Merrill. I will miss him as I have missed our lunches since he left the bench and his struggles with Parkinson's became more difficult. My condolences and warmest regards to Sally, his children and his grandchildren. They and all of Dallas have lost a wonderful leader, a committed friend and a strong and good man. David

• Dearest Sally, I really enjoyed sitting with Judge Merrill and listening to his stories, and talking with him, at Hide-a-Way, at the July 4th celebrations every year. He was the most intelligent man I had ever met. Judge Merrill, through my eyes, had a heart of gold and loved his family more than life itself!!! I know he is in heaven now, watching over all of us! Love ya, Janet

• God gave me the priivilege of seeing my old school chum, Merrill Hartman, one last time when our group performed music at a senior center recently where he was residing. I just wish it could have been more. That he never lost his sense of humor was evident when I walked up to greet him and he informed me that at least one of us had gotten older. Even though we hadn't spoken but a couple of other times over the many years, I enjoyed reading about his stellar career and being informed of the gracious way he treated my lawyer son in his court. My thoughts and prayers go out to Sally and the children and grandchildren.

• I am sad to hear of Judge Hartman's death. I am as equally sad that I did not have the honor of personally knowing him. However, the kind words from other folks about Judge Hartman kinda evens out the playing field.

• Dear Sally: I am so sad to read of Merrill's death. We have had such wonderful times with the two of you, such animated discussions! He was a wonderful man and friend. And a good Methodist!! The world has lost one of its best. With much love, Diane

• I worked with Judge Hartman and he was one of the most honest and down to earth men I have know with the power to change lives for the better.I am sorry for your lost,he served his community well.

• Merrill & I grew up together, we were paternal cousins. He was the sweetest man. Always there for me when I needed him & it was often over the years. I would call & he would say,what can I do? I always was comfortable telling him just what I needed & he would always come through . Nothing was ever too much fo his family. I last saw him in May & he knew who I was, I thought we had a nice visit. I could not have been more proud to have him as a cousin or friend. He will be missed by everyone that knew him.

• Sally, I look forward to it. And, again, my condolences. Mark and Esther Donald likewise send theirs; I know both thought the world of your husband.

• Thank you Robert for the wonderful article about my husband Merrill. I will thank you in person next time I see you in the elevator.

• Judge Merrill Hartman was my friend for 34 years, and for the past 20 years, my best friend. I saw first hand the impact he had on the lives of others both inside and outside of the court room. I saw him transition from a top-notch trial lawyer and partner in a "tall building" law firm, to a solo family lawyer who tried to salvage marriages, to a Family Court judge where he presided over painful cases that he once said "would break a heart of stone clean in two." As Judge of the 192nd District Court, he became the favorite of his fellow judges and of the lawyers who appeared before him. Some have told me that when their case was assigned to his court they would breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that, win or lose, they would be treated wisely and fairly. With his dear friend Will Pryor, Merrill founded the South Dallas Legal Clinic, recruited hundreds of lawyers to provide pro bono services, and physically took his court to South Dallas to hear the cases of the poor and disadvantaged. He was so well loved that in his 20 years on the bench he never had an opponent for re-election. He received every honor and award that can be given to a public servant, and upon his retirement the County Commissioners bestowed an unprecedented honor by naming the new Super Court room in the George Allen Court House after him. He faced his Parkinson's with courage, determination, and his characteristic wry humor. He surrendered his life peacefully, with those who loved him most, his family, at his side. I am a better person for having known and loved him and for having come under his powerful influence. Merrill Hartman was more a brother than a brother-in-law to me; he was as fine a man as I have ever known.

• Judge Merrill Hartman was a incredible man and an honorable judge. We need more men and women like Judge Merrill Hartmen on the bench. I would see him walking at Northpark--always a positive, kind word. He will be missed. Tina Yampanis

• Judge Hartman deserves all of the kind words above and then some. He was unfailingly decent and fair to all who came to his court. I have fond memories of a Friday afternoon before a holiday weekend spent in his chambers with opposing counsel as Judge tried to wear us both down to reach an agreement. We looked at his vacation pictures and talked about photography. He never forgot what it was like to be on the other side of the bench. He set an example for all of us newer lawyers to follow. He will be missed.

• Merrill was my law school classmate, a loyal friend, and a wonderful role model. He made you proud to say you were a lawyer. He could have made big bucks in private practice, but chose instead to be a public servant, which he was in the very best sense of the word. He took his judicial role very seriously, but never took himself that seriously. Merrill was spiritual in the best sense of the word, but he also had a wonderful and wicked sense of humor. He loved Sally and his family deeply. His was truly a life well lived in every sense of the word.

• Best, kindest, most skilled trial judge I've ever had the pleasure to work before (and we've had many great ones in Dallas). He taught me so much, especially on cases when I had bad facts and he had to rule against my clients. Always called it fair. Always. Wonderful, caring man. A truly great Texan. My best to Sally and his family. James Holmes

• Judge Hartman had an amazing judicial temperament. I always felt it was a privilege to try cases in his courtroom. He has been missed since the day he stepped down from the bench.

• RIP Judge Hartman. Judge Hartman was the very first lawyer I knew who did pro bono work, back in the 80's. He was a good lawyer, judge and more importantly, a very good man. He is already missed. Thanks for letting people know, Robert.

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