Prominent Savannah Judge Larry Dillon dies at age 77

(Savannah, GA) The honorable Judge Larry Dillon was set to retire at the end of this year.
He died Sunday after a long battle with cancer.
Judge Dillon served as Chief Judge of Chatham County Recorder's Court.
That's the court that sees the most cases.
Friends and colleagues describe him as a professional who set a standard everyone on the bench can learn from.
"He was always a man who could make a ruling.  He was decisive.  he listened carefully.  He had a great sense of humor so the court always just flowed very well.  Truthfully he gave his life to the pursuit of justice in Chatham County, and he will be deeply missed," says Superior Court Judge Louisa Abbot.
The husband and father of adult twin girls, Judge Dillon had a strong love for family, faith, and his profession.
Superior Court Judge James Bass says Savannah lost a caring judge. 
"There was a human side of him that's gonna be sorely missed.  His personality which I thought was a grand one, and he brought that personality as a judge with compassion and understanding of the cases that came before him."
The well respected judge graduated from John Marshall Law School and served in Chatham County Courts since 1989. 
He sat on a number of high profile cases.  He was the Recorder's Court Judge who heard preliminary matters in the murder case of Miss Savannah several years ago.
Perhaps what he will be remembered most for though is his ability to  embrace people and handle each case with  respect. 
"He wasn't afraid to make a ruling and you know he would stand up to what he thought was right, and make sure he did right," says Judge Abbot.
"With the number of people who go through the courts and are serviced by court there's someone who's got the kind of understanding can make a difference, and he was that kind of person," says Judge Bass. 
In his family's words- he was a judge of the people and for the people.
Visitation is Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Saint James Catholic Church.
The Rosary starts at 6:30.
A funeral mass for Judge Dillon will be on Thursday at 12 noon at St. James Catholic Church.