Ralph Shamas

RALPH DAVIS SHAMAS DISTRICT JUDGE
Age 64, passed away Thursday, January 17, 2013 at his home in Roswell, New Mexico. Judge Shamas was born in Roswell on October 30, 1948. He was the youngest of three children born to Joseph Bashara Shamas, Sr. from Dudghria, Lebanon, and Flora Smith Shamas of Melrose, New Mexico. He grew up in Roswell and attended St. Peter Catholic School to the 5th grade, Mesa Middle School, North Junior High, Roswell High School, and was a member of the first graduating class of Goddard High School in 1966. He received his undergraduate degree at UNM in 1970, where he was a member of SAE fraternity. In May 1973, he received his Juris Doctorate Cum Laude from the University of Iowa, and served on and was published in the Law Review.
Judge Shamas began his 32year legal career with Atwood, Malone, Turner and Sabin in 1973 1977, where he was made partner. In 1977 1979, he was a partner in the Hunt and Shamas Law Firm, the only plaintiffs firm in Roswell at that time, where he was the first lawyer in Chaves County in 25 years to win a punitive damages award from a jury. In 1979, he opened his solo practice as a plaintiffs and criminal defense lawyer. At that time, he was the first lawyer in the state of New Mexico to receive a milliondollar verdict for a wrongful death. This case was tried with current Judge Charles Currier. In 1985 1991, he began a partnership with K. Douglas Perrin and Phil Brewer.
Judge Shamas then took a sabbatical from practicing law for 1 12 years to train and race his beloved racehorses at Ruidoso Downs, Sunland Park, Albuquerque Downs, Turf Paradise, Santa Anita, Los Alimatos, Golden Gate, Raton and Santa Fe. He also trained for his close friends and their families, Paul Taylor Jr. and Paul Taylor III, becoming a leading trainer in New Mexico.
In Judge Shamas earlier years of practice, he represented four capital murder cases, receiving not guilty verdicts. In the 1990s, while in private practice, he was the lead attorney for Clay vs. Ferrell Gas Co., which was decided in his favor in the United States Supreme Court. This was a landmark case which set precedent for the greater the danger, the higher the standards. The case has become standard use not only in New Mexico, but also our sister states of Arizona, Texas and Oklahoma. Every defendant or plaintiff Judge Shamas represented was held dear to his heart. He represented them to the fullest of his ability, and more often than not, he was successful. Practicing the law was his passion.
In 2005, Judge Shamas was appointed by Governor Bill Richardson to fill the vacant seat in Division VI for the Fifth Judicial District, representing Chaves, Eddy and Lea counties for the state of New Mexico. In 2006, he was elected to this position, and served until his death.
During his time on the bench, Judge Shamas became an avid golfer, joining a standing tee time of 1:00 p.m. on Sundays at NMMI golf course, with his golfing buddies Judge Steven Bell, Jim Schultz, Matt Reinsmoen, Dr. Hugh Burroughs and Alberto Goenaga. Anyone who wished to join them was always welcome.
Judge Shamas was a member of the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association, American Trial Lawyers Association, New Mexico Bar Association and the Chaves County Bar Association until he became a district judge.
On February 16, 1977, he married Elizabeth Anderson Clark in Valdosta, Georgia. His wife survives him at their home in Roswell, New Mexico.
Judge Shamas was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Flora Shamas, his brother Jerry Shamas age 11 days, and sisters Annie, Mable, Gloria and Martha Shamas. He is survived by his brother Joseph Bashara Shamas, Jr. of Roswell Joes children, Bonnie Berry and husband Tom of Roswell, Denise Gardner of Dallas, Texas, Phillip Shamas and Greg Shamas and wife Martha of Albuquerque his dearly beloved sister, Joanna Shamas Lyle of California, and her daughter Lisa Lyle Hernandez and husband Joel of Albuquerque and her daughter Madeleine King of Las Cruces Judge Shamas children, Ralph Shamas Jr. of Houston Kathryn Elizabeth Wilson and her husband Kevin and their children Amanda Margaret and Ian Thomas of Mesa, Arizona Kristen Leigh Heyburn and her husband Paul and their children John Rice and Elizabeth Anne of Houston, Texas his brothersinlaw, Dr. Mark C. Clark and wife Catherine and their children Sophie and Mark of Winter Park, Florida Timothy Thatcher Clark and wife Jennifer and their children Caroline, Thatcher and Greycyn of Winter Park, Florida and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Also his dearly beloved 15yearold Schnauzer, YaDeeNee you sweet thing in Lebanese.
Judge Shamas was known to be a fair, ethical and compassionate district judge who thoroughly studied every brief and motion presented to him. He was always prepared to hear a case and expected his lawyers to do the same. The supreme court of the state of New Mexico in a decision in one of his cases called him our District Judge wherein Judge Shamas saw fit to right a wrong.
For him it was an honor to serve his community and he leaves behind many dear family and friends. He will be missed greatly, most especially by his wife, Elizabeth.
A Rosary will be led by Sharon Bell on Tuesday, January 22 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Peters Church, 111 E. Deming Street, Roswell, New Mexico. A Funeral Mass Service, with Father Charlie Martinez, OFM officiating, will be held on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 1:00 p.m., St. Peters Church. Following the Mass, Judges Charles Currier, Steven Bell and Freddie Romero, along with attorney Phil Brewer, will speak briefly at St. Peters Church. A reception in honor of Judge Shamas will immediately follow at the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art, 409 E. College Blvd., Roswell, New Mexico, and all are welcome to attend.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Judge Ralph D. Shamas to the American Cancer Society or Vista Care Hospice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory. An online registry can be accessed at www.ballardfuneralhome.com

Service

Memorial Mass

St. Peters Catholic Church
109 E. Deming
Roswell, NM  88203
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
1:00 pm

Rosary

St. Peters Catholic Church
109 E. Deming
Roswell, NM  88203
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
7:00 pm

Memorial Contributions

1051 Montgomery Blvd., NE, Ste. 300
Albuquerque, NM  87110


400 N. Pennsylvania
Roswell, NM  88201