Class of 1948
(Notes are posted in the order they were received, with the newest posts on top.)
John Thomas Conners ‘48 passed away peacefully at home September 8, 2009. He was a founding partner of Boult Cummings Conners & Berry. Read complete obituary. Posted 10-31-09
Colonel Jack L. Giannini ’48 died on September 7. He had spent much of his career as a single practitioner in Belleville, Illinois, before joining the law firm of a long-time friend, William Enyart, in 1992. He established his Belleville practice after retiring from the Air Force with the rank full Colonel in 1971, after 30 years of military service. Over the course of his career, during which he logged over 5,700 hours of flight time in 22 different types of aircraft and was credited with 97 combat missions, Jack received two Legion of Merit awards, the Air Medical with five clusters, the Bronze Star and other citations. He was rated a Command Pilot. In his legal practice, he often assisted fellow practitioners in matters related to military service. Because of his firm believe that children needed computer skills to be successful, he donated money to local schools for computers, library resources and computer labs. He is survived by his wife Marguerite Giannini and a stepdaughter. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Ellen, and his only son, Roger. Posted 10-31-09
Former Circuit Court Judge Whit LaFon, '45, died at age 91 on March 31, 2009, following a stroke. Whit LaFon was a Jackson High School graduate who led the football team to an undefeated season as captain in 1936. He earned his B.A. as well as his law degree from Vanderbilt University and was a former president of the Jackson-Madison County Bar Association. In 1978, David Hardee of Hardee Martin Dauster & Donahoe in Jackson became LaFon's associate, and they practiced together until Whit was appointed to the bench. "Whit cared about people. He always wanted to do what was right," Hardee said. "His practice wasn't devoted to big business, insurance or banks. He represented average working people because he felt like it was his role to make sure they got a fair shake." Whit's sister, Pauline LaFon Gore, waited tables for income and became the 10th woman to graduate from Vanderbilt Law School. Posted 4-3-09
James I. Vance Berry, 81, of the Boult, Cummings, Conners & Berry law firm, praised by colleagues for his legal skill and integrity, died August 8, 2006. A graduate of Yale University, Mr. Berry attended the University of Virginia Law School before returning to Nashville and entering Vanderbilt University Law School. He joined the law firm of Hume, Howard and David, now known as Boult, Cummings, Conners & Berry. His practice was geared toward real estate as well as general corporate practice, estate administration and estate planning. In addition to his legal work and civic involvements, Mr. Berry served as city attorney for the city of Belle Meade, taught at the Nashville School of Law and was founder and president of the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the American Diabetes Association. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Susan Rhodes Berry, a son and two daughters.
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