Felix Klein, 154th Judicial District Judge, is retiring Dec. 31, 2022, after 28 years in office.
Klein said he originally wanted to be a farmer before going to law school.
“Well I wanted to farm initially,” he said. “The farming economy was bad so I decided to go to law school. I’ve raised cotton, potatoes, corn, cattle, sheep and I enjoyed that, but that’s back in the early 80s, that was really tough in farming. I thought if I’m not farm-ing, what would I want to do? So, I went to law school.”
Klein was a lawyer for four years before becoming judge.
“I was a lawyer first and I guess, as far as becoming judge, the previous judge I believe was on the bench for 32 years and he called me in one day and said ‘I’m going to retire and I think you ought to consider running for my job’ so that’s how I got here,” he said.
Klein said his biggest achievement as a judge was following the law.
“Well I tried to follow the law. Be fair to the parties. I tried to treat people right in my courtroom. The biggest thing is a judge follows the law, you may not always agree with it and you may not like the outcome of what the law is, but that’s your obligation. It’s what you have to do,” he said.
Klein said he appreciates his office throwing his retirement party.
“ I’m appreciative that they would throw as party for me. I’ve got a good relationship with all of them and we’re leaving the county in good hands with Jaime Leal, my court coordinator, and Scott Say coming in.”
Klein said he has enjoyed his job for 28 years.
“I enjoy my job, because you get to deal with, and in some cases, help people with their problems and what have you or at least get resolution to their problems. They may not always like the results,” he said.
Klein said he will be semi-retired doing mediation for the court. “I’m going to help my son-inlaw, I’m going to play with my granddaughter. I will take some court assignments and I hope to being doing mediation. Probably as often as they’ll let me do it. Mediation is short of coming to court. You get the parties together and then as a mediator you try to work through their differences and resolve their issues that come to an agreement,” he said.
Klein said he is not quitting and has no plans to ever fully retire.
“I’m not quitting. I hope not. I figure you retire, you die. I’m not ready yet,” he said with a laugh.