Former Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice James E. Alderman died in Vero Beach on Thursday, June 10, 2021. Alderman was 84 and was Florida’s 67^th Justice and its 40^th Chief Justice since statehood was granted in 1845.

Born in Fort Pierce, Alderman was a man who lived life as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, lawyer, judge, and cowman. He was a sixth-generation Floridian whose family had been cattle ranchers since the time when Florida still was a United States’ territory.

Alderman grew up in Fort Pierce where he worked on the family ranch from an early age and graduated from Dan McCarty High School in 1954. He then attended the University of Florida where he received his bachelor’s degree in 1958 and law degree in 1961.

While he was in Gainesville, Alderman was introduced to Jennie Thompson, whom he would marry in 1961 shortly after graduating from law school.

The Aldermans returned to Fort Pierce where he began to practice law. His successful law practice would eventually turn into a career as a judge that would take him through all levels of the state courts in Florida.

Appointed to the Saint Lucie County Court in 1971 by Governor Reubin Askew, Alderman quickly moved up to the Nineteenth Circuit Court after winning an election in 1972. He remained there for four years before Askew again called on him in 1976 to fill a seat on the Fourth District Court of Appeal.

In 1978, Askew appointed Alderman to the Florida Supreme Court. Alderman served there from 1978 to 1985, including two years as Chief Justice from 1982 to 1984. Alderman retired to return to the family ranch when his father no longer was able to manage it.

At that time, Alderman became fully involved in the ranch and the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, serving as its president from 2001 to 2002. Alderman loved the ranch, spent hours driving around it, and made it a full-time commitment until he began to step back and let his own son take over.

Alderman was predeceased by his wife Jennie. He is survived by his son Jimmy and his wife Lee Ann; his grandchildren James Austin and Amber Leigh; his wife Patricia; his sister and brother-in-law Joyce and Ray Deloney and their family; and the many friends he made in all aspects of his life.

A visitation will take place at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Fort Pierce on June 26th at 9:00 a.m. with funeral services to follow at 10:00 a.m.