John F. Fontron

John Felix Fontron (December 2, 1903 – January 25, 1982) was a lawyer and judge. He served as justice of the Kansas Supreme Court from March 5, 1964, to October 1, 1975.

Life and education Born in McPherson County, Kansas December 2, 1903, Fontron moved with his family to Hutchinson, Kansas, in 1915. He lived there for the rest of his life, apart from during his military service.

Early career He started his career in the law firm of Shaffer and Tincher and his first government post was deputy county attorney in 1926 under Charles Hall. He later joined the law firm of Hall, Fontron and Holmes. He served overseas in India, Australia and New Guinea. He was elected as a Republican while Anderson had been a Democrat. He was the first member to be selected under the new non-partisan selection method introduced in 1958.

His service to the court saw him write 389 options among which 319 were for the majority and 49 dissenting.

While serving on the Supreme Court he also taught legal ethics at Washburn University School of Law, an institution that awarded him a special honor in 1974. Fontron continued to be active in law as council to a respected law firm, and performing judicial services by assignment. His wife was driving the car when it went off the road and rolled over; she had only minor injuries.