Frank F. Drowota III ’65 (BA’60), who served on the Tennessee Supreme Court from 1980 to 2006, died April 15. He was 79.
Read Justice Drowota’s obituary posted on WGNS News Radio
Read Justice Drowota’s obituary in The Tennessean
Justice Drowota served on the Davidson County Chancery Court and the state Court of Appeals before first winning a seat on the Supreme Court in 1980. He was subsequently reelected to new eight-year terms both before and after the selection of justices was shifted in 1998 from contested elections to the “Tennessee plan,” through which sitting high court judges are re-elected on a “yes-or-no” referendum. He served two terms as chief justice, and his 25 years on the Tennessee Supreme Court make him the second longest serving justice in state history.
“Tennessee’s legal system has lost a true icon with the passing of former Chief Justice Drowota,” Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Jeff Bivins ’86 said. “Throughout his long and illustrious career, Justice Drowota was the embodiment of fairness, thoughtfulness, and dedication. His exemplary service to the State of Tennessee, as well as his kind and generous character, will continue to leave a lasting impression on all of those fortunate enough to have known or worked alongside him.”
Justice Cornelia Clark ’79 worked under Justice Drowota both as a trial judge and as director of the Administrative Office of the Courts.
“Throughout his 25 years of service, Chief Justice Drowota evolved from the new kid on the block to the heart and soul of the Tennessee Supreme Court,” Justice Clark said. “He authored hundreds of opinions and participated in thousands more. He always worked to administer justice fairly and impartially, to maintain unanimity and collegiality in the most contentious cases, and to improve the administration of justice in Tennessee. He was a respected and wise leader and mentor. But most importantly, he was a friend to colleagues and Court staff alike. His many, many contributions to the administration of justice in Tennessee will never be forgotten, but his lasting legacy for those of us fortunate enough to know and work with him will be his generosity and friendship.”
Fittingly, Justice Drowota was the first recipient of the Tennessee Bar Association’s Justice Frank F. Drowota III Outstanding Judicial Service Award, which was created in 2006 when he retired. The award now honors a Tennessee judge each year for exceptional service.
After retiring from the Supreme Court, Justice Drowota served on the board of the Nashville School of Law. “Justice Drowota’s personal and professional qualities inspired us all, and he will be greatly missed,” NSL Dean William C. Koch Jr. ’72 said.
Justice Drowota served in the U.S. Navy for two years after earning his undergraduate degree at Vanderbilt, calling his service aboard the aircraft carrier Shangri-La “two of the best years of my life.” He took the LSAT while onboard and decided to enter law school when his service ended. He joined Goodpasture Carpenter Woods & Sasser after earning his law degree. He was appointed to a seat on Davidson County Chancery Court in 1970, and then was appointed to the Tennessee Court of Appeals by Gov. Winfield Dunn in 1974.
Justice Drowota is survived by his wife, Claire Hooper Drowota (BA’67); their son, Dr. Frank Russell Drowota (MD’98); a daughter, Helen Drowota Close; a sister, Clare Anne Carpenter ( BA’50), and a large extended family.
