Justice Revius Ortique
1923-2008

It was a “state” occasion…a requiem for a legend. But for most it was a family affair when New Orleanians from every walk of life came together at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church on Friday, June 27, to pay their final respects to Justice Revius O. Ortique Jr., the first African American to sit on the Louisiana State Supreme Court.

The day was marked by private gestures and public testimonies, affirmations of a community’s deep respect and abiding affection for the man.

An Ortique protégé, Sean Hunter, director of aviation at Louis Armstrong International Airport, confided that he had slipped silver cuff links engraved with airplanes into the Justice’s coffin –symbols of the close relationship the two had forged during their years working together at the airport. And Ortique’s youngest grandson, Todd, placed a religious relic on his grandfather’s wrist during the private viewing.

Bishop Roger Morin, AME Bishop Henning, Justice Pascal Calogero, Justice Bernette Johnson, Pastor Troy Williams of St. Luke’s AME Church, and Merdes Johnson honored Ortique with their presence and their remarks. Pastor Fred Luter warmly welcomed the mourners to his church.

Former mayor, Marc Morial, now president of the National Urban League, flew in to pay tribute. With his purposeful stride, Morial stepped to the pulpit, setting the tone, declaring the day a celebration.

Morial’s memories of Ortique went back to when Morial was a young attorney. He recalled the orderliness of Ortique’s law office in the early years–the one located on N. Miro and St. Bernard Avenue, as well as the decorum that he demanded in his courtroom at Civil District Court. And he expressed sincerest appreciation for the service Ortique had given the city when after retiring from the bench he accepted the chairmanship of The New Orleans Aviation Board. In that position, as in all the positions he occupied throughout his stellar career, Ortique pushed wide open doors of opportunity for those who had been locked out historically.

Morial conjured up powerful memories and ignited serious reflection on the part of the mourners when he slowly and deliberately called out the names of other civil rights activists and leaders, legends now-deceased, Ortique’s contemporaries in the civil rights movement. Alexander P. Tureaud. Chink Henry. Israel Augustine. Clarence Barney. Ernest N. “Dutch” Morial.
Morial speculated that those giants who had resisted oppression, while struggling for justice in this community were anxiously awaiting their comrade’s arrival in Section “H” in Heaven.
Restaurateur Leah Chase told how Ortique had bolstered her self confidence, assuring her that she could compete with anyone.

And in his remarks, Ortique’s grandson Chip recounted memories of his family dining at Dooky’s and holding special celebrations there. Chip told, “…we always went to Dooky’s; we went to Dooky’s because not only do they have great food, but that was the only restaurant that was open to Pops and others during the civil rights movement. Pops never forgot, and he reminded us that it was Mr. and Mrs. Chase who prepared meals for them during those times, and he wanted them to prepare meal for us during the good times."

The young eulogist also recognized his grandmother’s importance in his grandfather’s life. “Just this past December, we all celebrated their 60 years of marriage. At that time, Pops reminded us how Mimi was his strength that he could not have accomplished in his lifetime what he did without her… Mimi’s strength was his strength. Their strength was our strength.”

But a poignant note was struck, one that many could relate to when he shared the story that his grandfather had repeated to him and his siblings about having worked his way through college scrubbing the floors of houses on Gentilly Blvd., taking pride in bringing them to a brilliant shine.

This story is the story of many of our grandfathers and grandmothers –strong African American men and women-- who persevered, achieved and rose to heights not believed possible … in spite of. Ortique’s spirit of resolve and tenacity mirrored the determination of those of earlier generations –those whose hard work and sacrifice had both propelled and anchored many of us gathered there that day, providing the proverbial shoulders on which we now stand.

We, the friends and colleagues of the Justice and his family, lifted our heads and stood a little taller as we stepped from the church and into the sunlight. The man we came to honor had exhibited dignity and respect for himself and others despite obstacles and barriers placed in his way. For 84 years, Revius Oliver Ortique Jr. represented the best of what being Black in America is all about.

This giant of a man had passed our way and made us proud.