When Mr. Robert Logan became our new judge, I lost my attorney; however, I learned that the events of his entire life have moved him into the position he now holds. Mr. Logan’s adult career of public service began with his four years of active duty in the Army, as a JAG attorney. His career as an attorney spanned from 1975 until he took the oath and became the new Chancery Court Judge of Newton County on Jan. 2, 2019.
Robert Maurice Logan Jr. was born Nov. 4, 1951, to Robert Maurice Logan Sr. and Louvenia Morgan Logan, in Newton, Miss. The family lived in Lake, where his father owned a general store, located near their home. His mother worked in the home and in the store as well, so Robert said, “My earliest memory is the store.” His father had had a bit of time in law school that was interrupted by WWII, and he was a state senator for four years later in life, which fed Robert’s interest in law and politics.
Robert shared that he enjoyed sports, especially basketball, throughout high school, while benefitting from “some really good teachers.” After graduation from Lake High School in 1969, he attended the University of Mississippi, graduating from the law school there in 1975.
While at Ole Miss, he became good friends with his professor, Robert Khayat, who later became Chancellor of the university. They remain friends to this day. During his first year of law school, Robert was still doing R.O.T.C., beginning active duty in the Army in 1975 and serving in the Army JAG Corp until 1978 at Fort Hood, Texas.
In 1978, he began his law practice with a Jackson law firm, moving to Newton in 1980, where his office was two doors down from another attorney, Eddie Phillips. He used to tap on Phillips’ office window on his way to the post office to get the attention of Michelle Buntyn, the lovely girl working there who later became his wife. He worked with Jack Brand, later his partner, until 1991. Then he opened a partnership with Bill May. Bill left about 2007, and Robert practiced alone for a while, with some associates such as Mitchell Thomas and Tanya Phillips. Then Brian Mayo joined the practice in 2011.
Robert and Michelle were married Nov. 1, 1981. Michelle finished at East Central Junior College right after their marriage. Their first child, Megan, was born April 12, 1983. Zachary was born July 13, 1984. Jeffrey came along Dec. 10, 1987, and Madeline was last, coming May 1, 1991, finishing the family with two boys and two girls.
In about 1996, after their four children got older, Michelle began working, first as assistant librarian at Newton High School. Later, at the Mississippi State branch in Meridian, she earned a degree in Social Work.
For several years, Michelle worked for East Mississippi State Hospital, with young adolescent boys, in drug and alcohol rehabilitation. She now works for Child Protection Service in Meridian as a social worker, where she counsels foster parents that want to adopt children. He said, “It’s perfect for her.”
Their children have married and are all active in various careers. Mr. Logan told me, “I always encouraged my kids to develop their own talents to make a positive impact on those around them.” Megan, married to Daniel Bounds, is a speech therapist, while her husband is a foreman for the Kansas City Southern Railroad. Living in Starkville, they have Logan, 7, Katie, 6 and another son, Peyton, who is four.
Zack, a musician and songwriter who has done an album and toured in Europe, is married to Jenny Chiaisson, a veterinarian where they live in Nashville. They have Jenny’s daughter, Mary Ellen, 12, and are expecting a girl in June.
Jeffrey is married to Claire Stanford, a dentist, who is expecting their second child in April. Their little boy, Robert Miles, “Bo,” is two and loves “Burdaddy.” (All the grandchildren call Robert Burdaddy.) Jeffrey, an accountant, works in construction with Andrew Marshall, installing telephone lines in hotels.
Madeline has followed in her mother’s footsteps, becoming a social worker. She is married to Spencer Cash from Hickory, and they live in Memphis. Spencer began as a teacher with a degree in psychology, but he is essentially a social worker now, too, as he works for the Memphis Grizzlies Foundation, working with underprivileged children. Madeline is expecting their first child in March.
Robert told me their family is very close-knit. “I actually describe my children to people as Golden-Rule people. All willing to help each other and help other people. But we also like to have fun. We have an annual party we call Tanglefest on the family cattle farm, which has been in the family since 1875. Zach comes and plays and brings other musicians. We have about a hundred people and just have a good time.”
When I asked about his Christian experience, he replied, “I’m a believer, and I’m a Bible reader. I try to practice the principles of the Bible.” He and Michelle attend Newton United Methodist Church, where he is a regular attender of church, a member of choir and has held several offices in the church.
I asked if he had ever experienced a miracle or seen God’s hand at work. After thinking, he said in a resolute tone, “I have felt led to do things from time to time in the community.” He told me, “I have a very strong feeling about our obligation to reach out to younger people, especially children and students. I do whatever I can to mentor, inspire, and encourage kids.”
He told me of some of his “interesting opportunities,” such as his helping and mentoring Bruce Ware and Dennis Pickens, both young, black Newton natives. Bruce would wash Mr. Logan’s car and ask about going to college. Robert helped him, and Bruce graduated from Ole Miss, worked on Wall Street, then earned a graduate degree from Harvard. He now works for a large company in Dallas. Later, Dennis was helped by both Bruce and Robert and is now an executive with AutoZone in Atlanta. Both of them come back to Newton to help kids.
The Newton County Chancery Judgeship had belonged to Mr. David Clark for almost 30 years. He gathered all the attorneys from the district for a dinner to announce his retirement, as he told them that one of them would need to try for the position he was vacating. Mr. Logan began “kicking that around with my partner and my family. Should I do it?” After he decided to throw his hat in the ring, none opposed him.
He became the Honorable Judge Robert M. Logan Jr. on Jan. 2, 2019 and was sworn in by Chief Justice Bill Waller on Jan. 4, 2019. It was very special for him to have his entire family with him. He said, “I’m blessed!” And Newton County, which includes our community here in Decatur, is blessed to have him in that position of public service.
You may contact me at lagnesrussell@gmail.com or 601-635-3282.
