Judge Bean is shown with family friend Aaron Lewis and his children, Russ Bean, Chris Bean and Hollie Gilreath
photo by Earl Freudenberg
The portrait of retired City Court Judge Russell Bean was unveiled at a ceremony on Friday at the Courts Building.
Judge Bean graduated from Red Bank High School, where he was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame.
After graduating from Middle Tennessee State University, he began teaching at Kirkman Technical School.
Upon graduation from the University of Tennessee College of Law, he began practicing law with his father, Crawford Bean, and brother, Martin Bean.
He served as president of the Chattanooga Trial Lawyers.
He was appointed judge in City Court by former Mayor Jon Kinsey in 2000 and served until his retirement in 2022.
As judge, he received the Freedom Foundation Award. He was elected Governor of the Tennessee Municipal Judges Conference and was given the Honorable Sharon G. Lee Award of Excellence.
A member of the Tennessee State Guard, he reached the rank of captain.
He wrote a book titled :Missing on Lookout Mountain: A Skateboard Adventure and also wrote a book on his Bean family.
An avid sports fan, he attends many UTC basketball games, Lookouts games and the Womens Southern Conference Tournament games.
He also enjoys music concerts and singing karaoke.
Judge Bean has three children - Russell Jr., Chris and Hollie Gilreath.
He is a member of Red Bank Baptist Church.