Superior Court Judge Douglas Sasser was honored Thursday by members of the Bladen and Columbus bar, the courts friends and family on his retirement from the bench.
“It’s been a wonderful experience, and I appreciate all of you,” Sasser said to the big crowd at Bummin Hole Lodge.
Sasser announced his retirement this spring, after 30 years in front of and behind the bar. After being appointed District Court Judge, he later replaced then-Chief Resident Superior Court Judge William “Bill” Gore.
Gore presented Sasser with a framed copy of the “Man in The Arena,” a speech by Teddy Roosevelt that the senior jurist said is fitting for a judge.
Sasser has held the post of chief resident superior court judge for Bladen and Columbus for ten years.
Sasser was honored by members of the clerk’s offices in both counties, as well as magistrates and members of the bar. Virtually every active and retired district and superior court judge in Bladen and Columbus also attended, including District Court Judge C. Ashley Gore, who was appointed Monday to serve out Sasser’s term.
The retiring judge said he had been asked numerous times what he intends to do in retirement. Right now, he said, “I intend to do nothing.
“I told my wife Vickie to keep my honey-do list to three items,” he joked. “That doesn’t mean I am going to do those three items.
“For 30 years, I’ve been dealing with other people’s problems,” Sasser said, laughing. “Now I look forward to being someone else’s problem.”
Clockwise from left: Ret. Superior Court Judge Bill Gore reads to Sasser from “The Man in the Arena”. Sasser and Clerk of Superior Court Jess Hill. Sasser speaking to the crowd. Virtually every active and retired judge in Columbus and Bladen counties attended Thursday’s dinner.
