"Judge Richard N. Ware IV, incoming president of the 
Louisiana District Judges Association, died Saturday 
in a one-car accident near Coushatta as he was driving 
home from New Orleans, where he often helped relieve 
overbooked court dockets. He was 47.

State Police said that early Saturday morning Ware 
apparently fell asleep on Louisiana 480 and was killed 
when his car hit several trees.

Since 1982, he has presided over the 39th Judicial 
District, composed of Red River Parish. He was to 
begin his fourth term this fall.

Ware, who was to head the judicial association in
October, had been second vice president of the organization.

Ware did extensive work advocating prevention of
child abuse in Louisiana.

He was chairman of the Children's' Trust Fund Board 
and president of the Louisiana Council of Juvenile 
and Family Court Judges. He was a member of the Children's 
Code Committee and The Continuing Revision Committee of
the Louisiana Law Institute.

Ware, a star running back at Northwestern State University 
in 1967-70, was about to begin his 18th season as color 
analyst on radio broadcasts of the Northwestern State 
University Demons' football games.

'Richard Ware was a wonderful ambassador for Northwestern,' 
said Dr. Randall J. Webb, university president. 'He 
bettered the lives of thousands of young people through
his extensive civic involvement, and brightened the lives
of everyone he met. This is a tragic loss for our university 
and the entire state of Louisiana.'

Ware, born in West Monroe, was president of his senior 
class at West Monroe High School in 1967. As a hard-running 
fullback at Northwestern, he won All-Gulf States Conference 
recognition and was the league's Most Valuable Back as a 
senior.

Ware was an avid supporter of Northwestern's athletic and 
alumni activities and had served as an adjunct faculty
member while he practiced law in Natchitoches before 
becoming district judge.

Saturday, as the university's intercollegiate women's 
soccer team played its inaugural match on campus, the players 
and coaches wore black armbands in tribute to Ware.

Ware is survived by his wife, Betty, and two stepchildren, 
James Givens, 29, and Janelle Givens, 27.

Funeral arrangements, which are incomplete, are being 
handled by Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Coushatta."

Source:  Times Picayune 09-2-1996