Retired 22nd JDC Chief Judge Thomas W. "Tom" Tanner, 77, died Wednesday, June 25, 2008. Tanner earned his undergraduate degree from Southeastern Louisiana University and his LL.B. degree from Louisiana State University Law School in 1958, where he served as vice president and president of the Law School and was a member of Gamma Eta Gamma legal fraternity. After graduation, he was in the practice of law in Slidell until his election to the bench in 1970. He served there until his retirement in 1988. A member of a number of civic and community organizations, he was the first president of the Slidell Chamber of Commerce. He was on the board of directors of the Louisiana Criminal Law Institute and a member of the Louisiana District Judges Association and served by appointment on several courts including the First Circuit Court of Appeal. He was a Korean War veteran, having served from 1951-1954, and was a 1st Lieutenant Infantry when released from active duty.