Bernard Thomas, former judge and legislator, dies at 88

Former state District Court Judge and longtime Chinook community member Bernard Thomas died Tuesday. He was 88.

Thomas served as a judge for the Montana 12th Judicial District, which at that time included Hill, Blaine and Liberty counties, from 1967 to 1983.

Thomas also served as Blaine County attorney for six years, was elected to one term in the Montana House of Representatives for Blaine County, was a judge for the Montana Water Court, and was a member of the state Board of Pardons.

Montana Supreme Court Justice John Warner, who tried cases in Thomas' court and became judge in the 12th Judi...