Alex Bartlett

Alex Bartlett, 75, of Jefferson City, died Tuesday, July 30, 2013, at St. Joseph Bluffs. He was born August 7, 1937, in Warrensburg, Missouri the son of the late George Vest and May (Woolery) Bartlett. He was united in marriage on June 5, 1961, to Sue Gloyd. On October 27, 1978, he married Eleanor Marie Veltrop Rutledge who survives at the home. He attended Central Missouri State University where he graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1955. Alex was first in his class with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies and a minor in Spanish. He then attended the School of Law at the University of Missouri, Columbia where he received a Bachelor of Law degree in 1961. He was a member of the Order of Coif and was on the Board of Editors of the Missouri Law Review. Mr. Bartlett was commissioned as a Reserve Officer of First Lieutenant with the United States Army in 1962. After completing Infantry Officer's Basic Training Course and The Judge Advocate Officer (Special) Course with honors he served in The Judge Advocate General's Corps until 1965. He served on the staff of The Judge Advocate General of the Army at the Pentagon in the International Law Branch of the International Affairs Division. In 1964 he became a Captain. Before joining the Army, Mr. Bartlett worked as a Law Clerk and as an Associate with the law firm Hendren and Andrae. After his military service, he continued with Hendren and Andrae as an Associate until becoming a Partner in 1972. In 1979, Mr. Bartlett went into solo practice until 1980, when he became President and Principal of Bartlett and Venters Law Firm which later was known as Bartlett, Venters, Pletz, and Toppins. From 1987-1990, Mr. Bartlett returned to solo practice. In 1990, he became a partner with Husch & Eppenberger which is now known as Husch & Blackwell in St. Louis, until his retirement due to ill health in 2012. Mr. Bartlett was involved in a number of significant matters of litigation including: Missouri School Finance, Prisoner Rights, Initiative Petition Litigation, and Legislative Immunity. He also maintained a number of personal clients throughout his career. Mr. Bartlett was also a principal participant in State Judicial Reform revisions. In 1983 he was selected for membership in the American College of Trial Lawyers; was a recipient in 1976, of one of the first Smithson Awards given by The Missouri Bar Foundation; and was a recipient in 1976, of the President's Award by the President of The Missouri Bar. Mr. Bartlett was listed in "Who's Who in America," "Who's Who in the Midwest," and "Who's Who in American Law." In 2001 he was selected by the Missouri Lawyers Weekly as one of 12 Missouri Lawyers of the Year and in 2006 to the time of his retirement was recognized as a Missouri Super Lawyer, General Litigation. He was a member of the Missouri Bar; American Bar Association; American College of Trial Lawyers, serving on the state committee and as State Chairman; American Judicature Society; Federal Bar Association; Cole County Bar Association where he served as President in 1971; Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys; Missouri Organization of Defense Attorneys; American Bar Foundation; Missouri Bar Foundation; United States Supreme Historical Society; and the Supreme Court of Missouri Historical Society. He also was a member of First Christian Church; Cole County Historical Society; Alumni Association for the University of Missouri; and the Alumni Association of the Central Missouri State University. Alex had an adventurous spirit, traveling extensively around the world with his wife, Eleanor. In addition to his wife, Eleanor, he is survived by two children, Ashley (Rich) Weaver, Jefferson City; Nathan Bartlett, St. Louis; a step-son, Gregory Rutledge (fiance Mary Heiring) Versailles; three grandchildren, Hope (Matt) Cowan; Zachary Rutledge; Ainsley Weaver; and two great-grandchildren, Tyson Rutledge and Kelcee Rutledge. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 6, 2013, at First Christian Church with the Rev. Don Carter, officiating. Burial with military honors will be in Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Monday at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home with a remembrance service at 7 p.m. Additional visitation will be 10-11 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Memorials are suggested to Stowers Resource Management, Attn: Hope Shares Coordinator, 1000 E. 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110; or to First Christian Church, 327 E. Capital Ave., Jefferson City, MO 65101. Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.