Former Morrill County attorney passes away

Longtime retired Judge James Macken, of Scottsbluff, has died at the age of 91. Macken served as a county judge, based in Scotts Bluff County, for 31 years until his retirement at the end of 2004. 

Those who worked with or appeared before him describe Macken as a “really good man and a really good judge” who was meticulous, highly respected and “a good listener” to both sides in all cases. 

Macken graduated from Creighton Law School in 1952, spent 2 years in the Army Reserve as a JAG lawyer, then began his private practice in Scottsbluff in 1955.

He and his family moved to Bridgeport, where he had his private practice and served as Morrill County Attorney, then was named a Scotts Bluff County Judge in 1969.

When the state revamped its judicial district system in 1972,  Gov. Norbert Tiemann appointed him as district county judge for the 12th Judicial District, which covers the Panhandle – a post he held for 28 years.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Judge James Macken will be held on Saturday at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Scottsbluff.