Judge R. Thomas Stinnett, one of two Chattanooga Bankruptcy Court judges, said Friday he is taking retirement.
Judge Stinnett, who turned 65 in February, will retire effective Jan. 3, 2010.
The judges on the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals will name his replacement. The vacancy notice is expected to be posted soon.
Judge Stinnett, a native of Nashville, was practicing law in Knoxville with the firm of Stone and Hinds when he was appointed to the Chattanooga post on May 4, 1994.
After serving a 14-year term, he was re-appointed in May 2008.
Judge Stinnett said, "I love the job, but it's time to give somebody else the opportunity to serve."
He handled the Wheland Foundry bankruptcy as well as the Standard-Coosa-Thatcher case.
Judge Stinnett is currently overseeing the bankruptcy involving the far-flung holdings of Toby McKenzie of Cleveland, Tn.
He graduated from East Nashville High School, then completed the University of Tennessee in 1968. Afterwards, he was commissioned a second-lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He served in Naples, Italy, from 1968-1971.
He returned to UT and completed law school in 1974.
He has been married to the former Libby Parrott for 41 years. Her father, Judge James Parrott, was clerk of Federal Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, then was presiding judge of the Tennessee Court of Appeals.
The Stinnett sons are Rob, who oversees a Verizon store, and Jay, who works with Pilot Travel Centers.
Judge Stinnett and his wife are looking forward to an extended trip to the coast of Mexico.
He is past president of the Chattanooga Civitan Club.
Judge John Cook is the other Chattanooga judge of Bankruptcy Court.