SAN JOSE — Retired Judge Leon Fox, who presided over cases in Santa Clara County Superior Court for decades, died Thursday. He was 77.
The court’s presiding judge, Patricia M. Lucas, announced his death in a brief email to court employees on Thursday afternoon.
“It is my sad duty to share the news that Leon Fox, our retired colleague and beloved husband of Judge Vanessa Zecher, passed away this morning,” Lucas wrote. “Details will follow concerning the date and location of a celebration of Judge Fox’s life.”
Responding to a request by this news organization, Lucas underscored the loss to the legal community.
“Judge Fox was a valued member of our bench for many years,” she wrote. “He was always willing and available to assist his colleagues on the bench who were so appreciative of his encyclopedic knowledge of the law.”
Lucas also said that his wife, as well as the court and Fox’s family and friends, ”are heartbroken over the loss His legacy will live on through his wife and all those whose lives he touched.”
Fox was also remembered fondly by veteran defense lawyer Dan Mayfield.
“A good and fair judge,” Mayfield said. “If he was going to rule against you he would always tell you why, and explain his reasoning.”
