Edward B. Cloutman III passed away peacefully Thursday, March 15.  Eddie was the son of Edward II and Evelyn Cloutman and grew up in Lake Charles graduating from Lagrange High School. He went on to Louisiana Tech and then to LSU where he earned his Jurist Doctorate Degree.  

Ed practiced law in Dallas for over 50 years where he was renowned for his landmark court victories. He was instrumental in winning a case in 1970 that forced the Dallas Independent School District to abolish its separate but equal treatment of minority students and to fully integrate Dallas schools ensuring that all students could receive a good education. Another of his cases forced Dallas, Texas to change its city council member election law to a district representation system thus allowing each district to elect its own council member. Ed retired last year and moved to Crockett, Texas.  Last month, Ed was honored with the Martin Luther King Award by the Dallas Bar Association for his lifelong service to the Dallas area.

Ed was 78 years old.  Ed loved the outdoors, camping, bicycling and hiking. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Elizabeth K. (Betsy) Julian of Crockett, Texas and three children, Michael (Julie) and three grandchildren, Ashley, Coral, Anna Cloutman Lara and great grandchild, Lincoln of Taos, N.M.; Chad and grandchildren, Cayla, Lauren and Brady of Dallas, and Edward B. Cloutman IV. (Sarah) of Atlanta, Ga.,  Also surviving are three brothers, Rick and Jeff of Lake Charles and Charles (Joyce) of Lockhart, Texas and their son, Eric of St. Louis. 

Ed’s love of life, sense of fairness and compassion for everyone will be missed by all who had the honor of knowing him

Memorial Services will be held in Dallas at a later date.