He was predeceased by his wife Judy, and is survived by his sister Patricia Proctor Jessup and her husband Bill, his children, Laura and Jim Proctor and his wife Laura, by his grandchildren James, Custis and Harrison Proctor and their wives Allison, Mary Duncan and Lauren, and by three great grandchildren.
Born and raised in Scottsboro, AL, he was the son of James M. and Lucy Proctor. After graduating from high school at the Baylor School in Chattanooga, he attended the University of Alabama, where he earned his undergraduate and law degrees, and was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. Between undergraduate school and law school he served in the United States Army in Korea, and later in the Judge Advocate General Corps in the Army Reserves.
After graduation from law school he served as an assistant attorney general for the State of Alabama. Upon the death of his father he returned to Scottsboro to complete his father’s term as county judge, and later served as circuit judge. Thereafter he practiced law in Scottsboro for more than 20 years. In 1985 be was appointed as an administrative law judge for the Social Security Administration, eventually becoming chief judge for the eastern district of Tennessee. While in private practice he served numerous terms as a commissioner of the Alabama State Bar Association.
An avid photographer, fisherman and tennis player, as well as aspiring mystery writer and cartoonist, he loved to travel. He will be remembered for his quiet kindness and clever sense of humor.
After a private graveside service, a visitation will take place on Friday, May 24, 2019 at 11:00 at Scottsboro Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family requests that any donations go to the Proctor Family Scholarship at the University of Alabama School of Law.
