Colleagues and friends reflect on the legacy of Former Tenth Court of Appeals Justice Felipe Reyna

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - Former Tenth Court of Appeals Justice Felipe Reyna has died at age 80, passing away Sunday morning.

Those who knew Justice Reyna say he was intelligent and had a personality bigger than life, transforming every room he walked into.

“Felipe made people feel like they were apart of something special, and I think it was really because Felipe cared for others,” said current Chief Justice Matt Johnson.

Johnson says he’s actually known Reyna most of his life, Reyna’s father working as a custodian in the McLennan County Courthouse.

“I first met Felipe when I was a kid, my father and him were friends,” he shared.

Reyna was born in Texas in 1945, his father an immigrant who encouraged his son to dream big and work hard.

“His dad had a passion about this country. He wanted Felipe to succeed and Felipe picked that up,” said Senior Justice Rex Davis.

After graduating high school as valedictorian, Reyna went on to get a law degree from Baylor University. That’s where he met Davis in 1972.

“I was a freshman law student at Baylor University, and we met him through a common friend there in the law school,” Davis recalled.

Reyna began his legal career in 1973 as a prosecutor in McLennan County. Five years later, he was appointed McLennan County district attorney, serving from 1977 until 1982.

According to Johnson, after his time as district attorney Reyna entered private practice for 10 to 15 years.

But then in 2003, Davis left the Tenth Court of Appeals and Reyna received the appointment to fill the position from Governor Rick Perry.

Johnson says his appointment and time as a justice created a legacy that will never be forgotten.

“He broke down a lot of long-term barriers and he laid a pathway or a bridge for future public servants to follow,” Johnson said, “he was the first Hispanic justice here on the 10th court of appeals”.

Reyna retired from the court in 2009, his health sadly deteriorating in recent years according to Davis.

If you’d like to learn more about Justice Reyna’s incredible life story, it’s all in his book, “From Janitor to Justice: The Life of Felipe Reyna”.

Funeral arrangements are as follows:

• Visitation will be Dec. 28 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• The funeral will be Dec. 29 at 10 a.m., followed by the burial.

Both services will be held at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd., Waco, Texas 76710.

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