The Iowa Judicial Branch confirmed Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady, 66, died of a sudden heart attack. “The Iowa Judicial Branch is saddened to report that Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady has passed away,” the Iowa Judicial Branch said in a statement. “He was a wonderful individual and exceptional judge, respected and beloved by his fellow jurists. His passing is a great loss to the court and the state he so loyally served. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Becky and his family.”A source told KCCI that Cady died outside of his apartment Friday night. Cady was married with two children and four grandchildren. “Tonight, the state lost a great man, husband, father, grandfather and jurist,” the family said in a statement. “Chief Justice Mark Cady passed away unexpectedly this evening from a heart attack. Arrangements are pending.” He was well known for his opinion in Varnum v. Brien, the ruling that legalized same-sex marriage in 2009. He also supported an increase of technology in the court system. “At One Iowa, we are saddened to hear of Chief Justice Cady’s death,” said Courtney Reyes, executive director of One Iowa. “Earlier this year, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of one of his most impactful decisions: Varnum v. Brien. His words in that decision have touched the lives of countless LGBTQ people, not just in Iowa, but nationwide. Cady’s legacy of protecting the rights of Iowans lives on, and we in the LGBTQ community are particularly grateful for his service on the Iowa Supreme Court. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”Gov. Kim Reynolds tweeted a statement Friday night. “I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of Chief Justice Mark Cady,” Reynolds said. “He devoted his entire professional career to serving the people of Iowa. He loved the law, the judiciary and the state we call home. He leaves behind a legacy of service and dedication that we should never forget. My prayers are with Becky, the rest of his family and his colleagues on the Supreme Court and throughout the judicial branch during this difficult time.” Amy Klobuchar, Democratic presidential candidate, also took to Twitter in response. “Iowa Justice Cady wrote the groundbreaking decision establishing marriage equality, concluding ‘we have a constitutional duty to ensure equal protection of the law,'” Klobuchar said. “I send my condolences to his family and join the many Americans around the country tonight celebrating his career.”Cady’s career started in 1978 when he was a law clerk in District 2. He spent years as an associate judge, district court judge, Iowa Court of Appeals judge before he became chief justice in 2011.Cady was born in Rapid City, South Dakota. He received his undergraduate and law degrees from Drake University. He spent more than 30 years as an adjunct faculty member at Buena Vista University and served as a member of its President’s Advisory Council. Check back to KCCI for updates on this story.
The Iowa Judicial Branch confirmed Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady, 66, died of a sudden heart attack.
“The Iowa Judicial Branch is saddened to report that Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady has passed away,” the Iowa Judicial Branch said in a statement. “He was a wonderful individual and exceptional judge, respected and beloved by his fellow jurists. His passing is a great loss to the court and the state he so loyally served. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Becky and his family.”
A source told KCCI that Cady died outside of his apartment Friday night.
Cady was married with two children and four grandchildren.
“Tonight, the state lost a great man, husband, father, grandfather and jurist,” the family said in a statement. “Chief Justice Mark Cady passed away unexpectedly this evening from a heart attack. Arrangements are pending.”
He was well known for his opinion in Varnum v. Brien, the ruling that legalized same-sex marriage in 2009. He also supported an increase of technology in the court system.
“At One Iowa, we are saddened to hear of Chief Justice Cady’s death,” said Courtney Reyes, executive director of One Iowa. “Earlier this year, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of one of his most impactful decisions: Varnum v. Brien. His words in that decision have touched the lives of countless LGBTQ people, not just in Iowa, but nationwide. Cady’s legacy of protecting the rights of Iowans lives on, and we in the LGBTQ community are particularly grateful for his service on the Iowa Supreme Court. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Gov. Kim Reynolds tweeted a statement Friday night.
“I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of Chief Justice Mark Cady,” Reynolds said. “He devoted his entire professional career to serving the people of Iowa. He loved the law, the judiciary and the state we call home. He leaves behind a legacy of service and dedication that we should never forget. My prayers are with Becky, the rest of his family and his colleagues on the Supreme Court and throughout the judicial branch during this difficult time.”
Amy Klobuchar, Democratic presidential candidate, also took to Twitter in response.
“Iowa Justice Cady wrote the groundbreaking decision establishing marriage equality, concluding ‘we have a constitutional duty to ensure equal protection of the law,'” Klobuchar said. “I send my condolences to his family and join the many Americans around the country tonight celebrating his career.”
Cady’s career started in 1978 when he was a law clerk in District 2. He spent years as an associate judge, district court judge, Iowa Court of Appeals judge before he became chief justice in 2011.
Cady was born in Rapid City, South Dakota. He received his undergraduate and law degrees from Drake University. He spent more than 30 years as an adjunct faculty member at Buena Vista University and served as a member of its President’s Advisory Council.
Check back to KCCI for updates on this story.
