Pallbearers carry the casket to the hearse during funeral services for Lafayette City Court Judge Jules Edwards III, who died Tuesday October 15 at the age of 66 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Saturday, October 26, 2024 in Lafayette, La..
- STAFF PHOTO BY BRAD KEMP
Orida Edwards looks over at the casket of her husband during funeral services for Lafayette City Court Judge Jules Edwards III, who died Tuesday October 15 at the age of 66 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Saturday, October 26, 2024 in Lafayette, La..
- STAFF PHOTO BY BRAD KEMP
Pastor Fr. Anthony ÒTonyÓ Anala, SVD, center, conducts funeral services for Lafayette City Court Judge Jules Edwards III, who died Tuesday October 15 at the age of 66 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Saturday, October 26, 2024 in Lafayette, La..
- STAFF PHOTO BY BRAD KEMP
Family members place the Pall over the casket during funeral services for Lafayette City Court Judge Jules Edwards III, who died Tuesday October 15 at the age of 66 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Saturday, October 26, 2024 in Lafayette, La..
- STAFF PHOTO BY BRAD KEMP
Orida Edwards, right, greets mourners during funeral services for her husband of 37 years Lafayette City Court Judge Jules Edwards III, who died Tuesday October 15 at the age of 66 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Saturday, October 26, 2024 in Lafayette, La..
- STAFF PHOTO BY BRAD KEMP
Orida Edwards, right, greets mourners during funeral services for her husband of 37 years Lafayette City Court Judge Jules Edwards III, who died Tuesday October 15 at the age of 66 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Saturday, October 26, 2024 in Lafayette, La..
- STAFF PHOTO BY BRAD KEMP
Judges light candles during funeral services for Lafayette City Court Judge Jules Edwards III, who died Tuesday October 15 at the age of 66 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Saturday, October 26, 2024 in Lafayette, La..
- STAFF PHOTO BY BRAD KEMP
Pastor Fr. Anthony ÒTonyÓ Anala, SVD, center, conducts funeral services for Lafayette City Court Judge Jules Edwards III, who died Tuesday October 15 at the age of 66 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Saturday, October 26, 2024 in Lafayette, La..
- STAFF PHOTO BY BRAD KEMP
2 min to read
Jakori Madison
Pallbearers carry the casket to the hearse during funeral services for Lafayette City Court Judge Jules Edwards III, who died Tuesday October 15 at the age of 66 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Saturday, October 26, 2024 in Lafayette, La..
- STAFF PHOTO BY BRAD KEMP
Orida Edwards looks over at the casket of her husband during funeral services for Lafayette City Court Judge Jules Edwards III, who died Tuesday October 15 at the age of 66 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Saturday, October 26, 2024 in Lafayette, La..
- STAFF PHOTO BY BRAD KEMP
Pastor Fr. Anthony ÒTonyÓ Anala, SVD, center, conducts funeral services for Lafayette City Court Judge Jules Edwards III, who died Tuesday October 15 at the age of 66 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Saturday, October 26, 2024 in Lafayette, La..
- STAFF PHOTO BY BRAD KEMP
Family members place the Pall over the casket during funeral services for Lafayette City Court Judge Jules Edwards III, who died Tuesday October 15 at the age of 66 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Saturday, October 26, 2024 in Lafayette, La..
- STAFF PHOTO BY BRAD KEMP
Orida Edwards, right, greets mourners during funeral services for her husband of 37 years Lafayette City Court Judge Jules Edwards III, who died Tuesday October 15 at the age of 66 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Saturday, October 26, 2024 in Lafayette, La..
- STAFF PHOTO BY BRAD KEMP
Orida Edwards, right, greets mourners during funeral services for her husband of 37 years Lafayette City Court Judge Jules Edwards III, who died Tuesday October 15 at the age of 66 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Saturday, October 26, 2024 in Lafayette, La..
- STAFF PHOTO BY BRAD KEMP
Judges light candles during funeral services for Lafayette City Court Judge Jules Edwards III, who died Tuesday October 15 at the age of 66 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Saturday, October 26, 2024 in Lafayette, La..
- STAFF PHOTO BY BRAD KEMP
Pastor Fr. Anthony ÒTonyÓ Anala, SVD, center, conducts funeral services for Lafayette City Court Judge Jules Edwards III, who died Tuesday October 15 at the age of 66 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Saturday, October 26, 2024 in Lafayette, La..
- STAFF PHOTO BY BRAD KEMP
Family, friends and the Lafayette community filled Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Saturday to say goodbye to Lafayette City Court Judge Jules Edwards.
Edwards, 66, was found unresponsive Oct. 15 and is believed to have died of natural causes. Mayor-President Monique Boulet interrupted a Lafayette City Council meeting that evening to share the news.
Edwards served as a state district court judge for 27 years, and after stepping down from the 15th Judicial District seat in 2020, he was elected two years later to Lafayette City Court.
He had recently implemented a City Court program that offers people with outstanding warrants a way to resolve issues without facing arrest or heavy penalties.
"He was such a humble person, a servant of God and a true leader. He gave his life, and just like Jesus, who gave himself, he was a man who dedicated himself to helping others," said his pastor, the Rev. Anthony Anala.
"He was not man that did not wait for people to find him for help; instead, he went out looking for those he could help,” Anala said.
Although to many he was a man who served justice to the public, he also was a father and a husband.Mourners stood as his three children shared heartfelt messages.
"My dad would always lead by example and expected no less from us. He taught us important lifetime skills. He would always say people like to argue and he liked to listen. This was true for his courtroom and household," said youngest son, Julien.
"The one thing you couldn't say is that you weren't heard. This made him excellent at detecting lies, and he always knew when I was lying as a kid. Now as an adult I am honest."
Edwards was known as a good communicator and an expert at relationship building, and his children described him as someone who loved to laugh.
"He taught me to build strong relationships, and he showed me that with my parents' 37 years of marriage. They showed me what true love looks like, and it’s a testament to their patience and shred values," Jules IV said.
Edwards met his wife, Orida Broussard, when they were classmates in law school, according to his obituary. They graduated together from Loyola University School of Law in New Orleans in 1984 and married in 1986.
"My dad was my favorite person, and he loved his family so deeply. He taught me to be kind and stand up for myself. He taught us how to love with intention. It was a privilege and a honor to be his daughter,” Juliesa Edwards said.
"He was always present. He was the guy sitting in the audience at every performance or game. Thank you, Dad," Juliesa added through tears. "He lived a blessed life with the love of his life."
Born in New Orleans, Edwards beganhis judicial career as Chief Judge of the 15th Judicial District Court from 2001 through 2003.He was a pioneer in the drug court and re-entry court movement, as well as an advocate for Veteran’s Court.
Wearing many hats throughout his tenure, Edwards was enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, served in the Louisiana National Guard, and was also a former chairman of the Louisiana Judiciary Commission from 2013 to 2017.
For a year, he also was president of the Louisiana District Judges Association in 2014. In 2013, he was inducted into the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame.
Email Ja'kori Madison at jakori.madison@theadvocate.com.
Jakori Madison
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