At a special portrait unveiling ceremony in honor of the retirement of District Judge Curtis L. Collier, Judge Collier told the audience, "Nineteen and a half years ago, in this very courtroom, I took the oath of office."
He said, "Wise people say there are seasons in life. As we go through those seasons in life, we have to prepare for them and we have to embrace them, because those seasons happen whether we like them or not."
He continued, "This is a season in my life where I'm going to dial things back."
In several weeks, Judge Collier will be transitioning to the position of senior judge.
His portrait, painted by Memphis artist Jamie Lee McMahan, will join those of past judges on the walls of the main courtroom.
Judge Collier's daughter, Dr. Cayanna Collier Good, said, "When I think of my father and his journey, I think it is so remarkable that we live in a country where his story is even possible.That with his intellect, integrity, work ethic, and pursuit of excellence, a small town boy from the segregated South could ascend to the federal bench."
His sister, Gail Collier Glover, said, "He was that person who made all of our lives better."
In a special gesture to the law clerks who have worked with Judge Collier over the years, the judge collected written notes from the clerks describing their memories with him. These notes were embedded into the frame of the portrait, forever to stay with the painting.
He said the notes "represent the role they played." Judge Collier told the crowd that in many ways, judges become closer to their law clerks than their families. He said at times there had been things he could only share with them.
One of his first clerks, attorney Cameron Hill, said, "I still find myself analyzing decisions based on how Judge Collier would interpret the results...The impact of his years of generosity as a teacher will long endure."
Attorney Hill described the way Judge Collier had gotten to know everyone who worked for him, often stopping by their offices just to talk.
He said, "You remain the kind, humble, self-effacing man we all got to know behind the courtroom doors...Thank you for playing such an important role in our lives."
Along with thanking his colleagues over the years, Judge Collier also graciously thanked his family. He said his granddaughter wanted to also become a judge someday. He said, "We talked about making good grades and making right decisions."
He closed, saying, "This is a season in my life when a higher authority has come calling. That authority is Father Time...In the courtroom of life, he always wins, and there is no appeal for his decisions...I am embracing that season."