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Judge John A. Petrich

DIVISION II, POSITION 4

February 19, 1980–May 14, 1993

Appointed by Governor Ray; Retired

Judge John A. “Jack” Petrich was born into a shipbuilding family in Tacoma. He grew up in the north end of Tacoma attending St. Patrick’s Elementary School, and graduating from Bellarmine Preparatory High School in 1936. Judge Petrich attended Santa Clara University, graduating in 1941. During the rage of WWII, he served in the Navy in the Pacific, commanding a mine sweeper in the Philippines until 1946. After his naval service, Judge Petrich went to Georgetown University in Washington D.C. where he received his J.D. in 1949.

Judge Petrich returned to Tacoma after law school to accept a position as a Deputy Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney under John J. O’Connell. In 1954 he began a private law practice working with the estimable John Binns. Being committed to public service, he served in the Washington State Legislature from 1956-1966. In 1960 he served as John F. Kennedy’s Western Washington campaign coordinator for President Kennedy’s successful bid for the Presidency of the United States. That year he also served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. In late 1960, Judge Petrich was elected to the Washington State Senate 26th District in Pierce County.

Judge Petrich was appointed to the Division Two bench in 1980 by Governor Dixie Lee Ray. He was Chief Judge from 1983-1984 and again in 1992. Judge Petrich served on the Court of Appeals until retiring in 1993.

Judge Petrich died on January 7, 2010. His personal life was as rich and rewarding as his professional career.

 

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