(excerpt From NOLA.com)
Michael Starks, the first African-American graduate of Tulane University School of Law and the first African-American lawyer in the New Orleans city attorney's office, died Saturday of liver failure at Life Path Hospice in Temple Terrace, Fla. He was 67.
Michael StarksA native New Orleanian who graduated from the University of New Orleans, Mr. Starks was the first African-American admitted to Tulane's law school, said his sister, Sandra McCollum. He graduated in 1968.
He became an assistant city attorney during Mayor Moon Landrieu's administration. Mr. Starks also worked there when Dutch Morial and Sidney Barthelemy held New Orleans' top elective office.
But that service wasn't continuous, his sister said, because Mr. Starks suffered a brain hemorrhage in 1983 that rendered him unable to work for three years.
That marked the first in a series of major health problems, McCollum said.
After leaving City Hall, Mr. Starks was an attorney for the Housing Authority of New Orleans until Hurricane Katrina struck, McCollum said.
Mr. Starks, who evacuated to Houston, developed a leg infection that couldn't be cured, his sister said, and doctors were forced to amputate his right leg.
When he could no longer take care of himself, he moved to Tampa, Fla., to live with his ex-wife, Carol Starks, and their daughter, Michelle Starks. He was hospitalized last week, McCollum said, and he entered hospice care two days before he died.
In addition to his sister and daughter, survivors include a granddaughter.
A memorial will be held at the school on Friday, February 2, at noon. Members are asked to attend, and to wear black business casual dress.
