Jean A. Turnage (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.[1] He served in the United States Army Air Corps after high school.[2] 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.[1] 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.[1]
He ran successfully for Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court in 1984, serving two terms before retiring in January 2001.[1]
Turnage was an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes[2] He had two children.[2]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Former Chief Justice Jean Turnage dies at 89". The Billings Gazette. Associated Press.
- 1 2 3 "Former Chief Justice Jean Turnage Dies at 89". Flathead Beacon. September 28, 2015.