Category Archives: Immortality

Death is no excuse for celebrities to stop working. James Dean, despite being dead since 1955, has recently been cast in a new Vietnam war movie, Finding Jack. His co-starring role will be computer generated from old footage and photographs and voiced by another actor. The dead are now rivals with the living for parts in movies.

This controversial casting decision has been met with outrage by many actors on Twitter. Complaints have circulated about puppeteering as well as being disrespectful to the dead movie idol.

Dean is by no means the first dead celebrity to continue to perform after death. Nat King Cole sang with his daughter Natalie on her 1991 Grammy Award-winning album, Unforgettable With Love, and performed on stage with her via a video screen.

Meanwhile, Tupac Shakur sang on stage with Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre in 2012 and Michael Jackson performed as a hologram at the Billboard Music Awards in 2014.

If, as Dean stated: Immortality is the only true success, then success is achievable for a growing number of high profile dead celebrities who have remained productive and valuable after death.

But some dead celebrities are more valuable than others.

Both in life and death, celebrities wield significant power as a catalyst for cultural meaning. They possess symbolic and economic value that extends into death through the traces they leave behind. These traces continue the dead stars celebrity power as a brand and include such things as photographs, films, signatures and recordings of their voice, as well as their celebrity persona (the character or personality they presented to fans).

But this posthumous celebrity varies in value. For many high profile celebrity women, the traces they leave possess sexualized value, much as they had in liferelated to their youth, beauty and sensuality. A great deal of their symbolic and economic value is about their bodies, so the way in which their traces are put to work after they die reflects gendered inequality.

Dead women celebrities are put to work selling feminized products such as chocolate or perfume. Meanwhile, Steve McQueen sells Ford Puma cars and Einstein promotes Genius Bread.

The way in which gender inequality reaches beyond the grave is clearly revealed by Forbes magazines publication of its Top Dead Earning Celebrities List every October since 2001. Affectionately referred to as the Dead Rich List, it reveals distinct gender inequality. Of 52 celebrities who have appeared on the list in nearly two decades, only five have been women: actresses Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor, 1950s striptease artist and pin-up model Bettie Page, and singer-songwriters Jenni Rivera and Whitney Houston.

Menincluding Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley and Charles Schultz (of Peanuts fame)consistently dominate the top positions on the Dead Rich List. Their earnings after death are staggeringly high compared to those of the women who appear.

First place has been held by Michael Jackson every year since his death (excepting 2009 and 2012) helping buck the trend of the underrepresentation of black and minority ethnic performers. Jacksons earnings have been immense, rising to US$825 million in 2016 due to the sale of his half of the Sony/ATV Music catalogue which owned much of the Beatles music, before dropping to their lowest point in 2019 with US$60 million.

In contrast, Monroe was the highest female earner with US$13 million in 2019, allowing her to maintain eighth place on the list for a second year.

Forbes suggests that to achieve a financially successful posthumous career it helps to be a white man from either the US or UK, although black and minority ethnic people (BAME) are more likely to make the cut now than in 2001 as illustrated by Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, Prince and Whitney Houston making recent lists.

But even if they make the rich list, the posthumous career earnings of Monroe, Taylor, Page, Rivera and Houston illustrate how women and black and minority ethnic people continue to be underrepresented among those who achieve high incomes after death. They reveal that celebrity value, in terms of symbolism and economics, is heavily gendered after death.

Dead celebrity womens posthumous careers are limited by being valuable due to their bodily capital. Men have a good track record of making wealth through the books they write or the music and lyrics they compose and own. In contrast, celebrity women are less likely to be a source for the production of wealth but a means for generating wealth for others.

But the 21st century, in particular, is witnessing the emergence of perceptive and well-informed celebrity women who own the sources of production of wealth and are not restricted to their bodily capital. Women such as Oprah Winfrey, the Kardashian sisters and JK Rowling are in firm control of their economic and symbolic valuewhich is something they can take forwards into death.

Pretty much all of the possible women candidates for future lists have long lives ahead of themhopefully, barring illness or accidentmeaning it will be many years before this gendered inequality in death is properly challenged. As it stands, gendered inequality of bodily capital means that for celebrity women, death is not the last great equalizerinequality continues in death.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Gender inequality reaches beyond the grave - Quartz

Just over five years ago, River Plate boasted two Copas Libertadores in their trophy cabinet and were celebrating their first Primera Divisin title, following the humiliation of dropping down to the Nacional B. Having beaten out Boca Juniors to that crown in May, 2014, Millonario idol Ramn Daz stepped aside to make way for young, untested Marcelo Gallardo to take over.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Under Gallardo, River Plate have become an irrepressible force in South American football, reaching the Libertadores semi-finals in four of the coach's five campaigns. On Saturday, they take the field in Lima's Estadio Monumental in the hope of an incredible third win since the coach assumed his position, a feat that would seal Gallardo's place among the likes of Carlos Bianchi, Tele Santana and Luis Cubilla as one of the greatest coaches in the competition's illustrious history.

It will not be easy, of course. Standing between the Millo and another triumph is fearsome Flamengo, a team stacked with talent recruited from among Brazil and Europe's best and directed by another wily tactician, Portuguese veteran Jorge Jesus. Not always do such continental finals bring together the two sides who can claim to be the best around; but it is hard to argue that either River or Flamengo are unworthy of their spot in this first-ever one-off Libertadores decider.

Unlike their opponents, the Rio de Janeiro outfit only have faint memories of lifting South America's most coveted club trophy. Not since 1981, when the incomparable Zico led them to glory, have Flamengo gone all the way in the Libertadores, and those 38 years of disappointment have been made all the harder to digest given the procession of Brazilian sides that, along with their Argentine counterparts, have dominated the medal count in the interim.

They are great opponents. We are two very good teams. We have the same chance two teams which are similar with respect to players and tactics, Gallardo explained to reporters when quizzed on Flamengo. We have a chance, I'd say we're might even be level. We will see later if a final with good football comes out.

Although they may be a team that thinks first of attack and later about how to stop goals, River will have to be alert at the back. Fla duo Gabriel 'Gabigol' Barbosa and Bruno Henrique have smashed 69 goals between them in 2019 alone and will have to be nullified should Gallardo's charges stand a chance.

The Millo, in turn, will look to their stellar midfield and the likes of Enzo Prez, Exequiel Palacios and Nacho Fernndez to control the pace of the final, in the hope that the Brazilians' forward threat is starved through lack of service and that likely starting forward pair Rafael Borr and Matias Surez can make the difference at the other end.

It will be an intriguing clash between two of South America's biggest, most talented clubs and a fitting stage for this first one-off final which almost ended in debacle when its original venue Santiago was stripped of hosting rights just weeks before the ball starts rolling due to protests in Chile.

On one side Flamengo are gunning for the relief of title glory; for River and Gallardo, another step towards immortality.

Kick off:5pm, this Saturday

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Gallardo leads irrepressible River to another shot at glory - Buenos Aires Times

The story of cinemas most iconic family will finallybe concluding this fall. Star Wars Episode 9 will be hitting cinemas in December and with it, the Skywalker saga delivers its long, long awaited encore. As pre-sales figuressurpass even Avengers Endgame, the hype train is at warp speed, and theexcitement so thick you can cut it with a lightsaber.

However, the more we delve into the stream oftrailers, TV spots and other juicy bits of information, the more it all starts toring a bell... a magical bell. It has been eight years since we saw Harry Potter casthis last Expelliarmus, but his influence has clearly spread far and wide. Allthe way to a galaxy far, far away.

Be it spiritually connected characters or an evil manssupposed quest for immortality, a lot of the challenges facing Rey and co. inthe heavily anticipated finale are shaping up to reflect things Harry andhis friends went through during their own crusade against the dark side.

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10 Signs Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker Is Ripping Off Harry Potter - WhatCulture

Athens is famous for its diversity of music, films and art, and local artists are especially passionate about featuring their work around the city. Whether its a University of Georgia student, Athenian who traveled from all around the world, theres a wide range of styles and techniques used to create these pieces. If youre interested in observing these different pieces, here are five different six shows and exhibits around Athens you can go see.

When: Nov. 26, 2-3 p.m.

Where: Georgia Museum of Art

Price: Free

The Georgia Museum of Art features a permanent collection of art that has been shown since when it first opened in 1948. The collection features various media, culture, time periods and artists, and it is continuing to grow. This tour will give more details on the artwork and describe how influential it has become.

When: Until Dec. 29

Where: Georgia Museum of Art

Price: Free

For those who are interested in creative ways to exhibit history, this exhibit features exactly that. These quilts created by artist Mary Lee Bendolph span over three decades, showing abstract memories from her past experiences. The featured memories in the gallery represent Bendolphs experimentation with styles which led her to new opportunities to exhibit her work and continue her craft.

When: Dec. 21, 2019 - Mar. 29, 2020

Where: Georgia Museum of Art

Price: Free

Starting with his student work at UGA, cartoonist Patrick Dean has been depicting details of Athens with various monsters for years now. His scenes are populated with cartoon characters that interact with each other throughout Athens and even depict themes of illness and immortality. Many jokes are included as well, making it an entertaining experience for those who choose to see it.

When: Nov. 29 - Dec. 1, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Where: Happy Valley Pottery, Watkinsville, Georgia

Price: Free

Pottery, glass, paintings, metal work, bath products and more will be displayed for sale at an open house in Watkinsville, Georgia. In addition to the sale, event-goers have the opportunity to watch demonstrations on Raku and glassblowing, a way of inflating molten glass into a large bubble. More handmade gifts will be on display for this holiday season after the open house.

When: Dec. 3-4, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Where: Lamar Dodd School of Art

Price: Free

UGA art students have been working diligently on small, hand-built sculptures and functional pottery that will soon be on display and up for sale. These pieces include teapots, mugs and bowls made by UGA ceramic students and faculty. There are many different methods used to create these pieces and a diverse selection will be on display.

When: until Dec. 8

Where: Athens Institute for Contemporary Arts

Price: Free

Various works will be featured at this exhibit by multiple artists to express their ideas about the government, gun control and American culture. Sculptors, photographers and actors showing the depiction of violence and storytelling will join forces to represent their views on American culture. Others also represent the different demographics of the country through their art, all finding different mediums to express their views on the country.

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6 upcoming art events in Athens as the year comes to a close - Red and Black

If we seek strength, it lies in his dominion; if purity, in his conception; if gentleness, it appears in his birth. For by his birth he was made like us in all respects [Heb 2:17] that he might learn to feel our pain [cf. Heb 5:2]. If we seek redemption, it lies in his passion; if acquittal, in his condemnation; if remission of the curse, in his cross [Gal 3:13]; if satisfaction, in his sacrifice; if purification, in his blood; if reconciliation, in his descent to hell; if mortification of the flesh, in his tomb; if newness of life, in his resurrection; if immortality, in the same; if inheritance of the Heavenly Kingdom, in his entrance into heaven; if protection, if security, if abundant supply of all blessings, in his Kingdom; if untroubled expectation of judgement, in the power given to him to judge. These are the words of the 16th century reformer John Calvin.

Jesus Christ is the fountainhead from which all the blessings of God flow to sinful humanity. He did what we were never able to do. He came down to earth, because we were never able to ascend to him.

He lived the perfectly righteous life we were created to live but were never able to because of sin. He died to deliver us from deaths power, granting us eternal life and washing away our sin by his precious blood.

He rose from the dead so that we can be sure that we receive all his benefits. He ascended to Heaven and took his seat at the right hand of the Father, so that we might know that we have a loving, just, righteous King reigning over us in Heaven.

He will come again to usher in his majestic Kingdom in all its fullness. He will right all wrongs, establish justice, restore what was lost, remove all pain, heal all illness and bless us with unhindered sweet communion with him for whom our hearts yearn.

What do Christians believe about Jesus Christ? We believe Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully human. He was crucified for our sins, suffered death, and was buried. On the third day he rose from the grave and then ascended into Heaven. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and fully establish Gods Kingdom on earth, to which there will be no end.

Enter the Kingdom of your glorious King and bow to no other.

The Rev. Michael Birbeck is pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Wellsboro.

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Pastor Mike's Sermon Notes with Pastor Mike Birbeck: This is what we believe in Jesus Christ - The Wellsboro Gazette

The Tutankhamun exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery, near Londons Sloane Square, is on its third stop on a 10-country tour. Its the last time these items will leave Egypt, and in some cases the first.

The familiar face and figure on all the posters is not Tutankhamuns famous death mask, which is too delicate to travel, but a 15-inch canopic coffinette that once held his liver. The closest we get to seeing the splendour of his coffin is various pieces of jewellery laid on a full-sized model of his mummy case.

Quotations from the Egyptian Book of the Dead feature throughout the exhibition, which focuses on the meaning of the boy-kings burial items, and on their significance in his journey into immortality. Tutankhamun was only nine when he came to the throne, and one of the most touching exhibits is his child-sized armchair.

The 150 exhibits are labelled well, giving both specific descriptions of each item and background information. What is most astonishing is their beauty, their bright colours, their perfection their freshness. Its almost impossible to believe that these artefacts are 3,300 years old.

The exhibition itself is well designed; its presentation at the Saatchi Gallery far less so. (As the Saatchi specialises in works by living artists, one wonders why it is hosting it.) The rooms arent connected, and are on three floors. The carefully planned transition of projected sound and vision from one room to the next the promised immersive journey just doesnt work when you have to go out to a corridor or up stairs to the next room. The piped New Age muzak in most rooms adds nothing to the experience.

The last and largest piece, which is given a room all to itself, is a quartzite statue of Tutankhamun; projected on the wall is the text Speak the name of the dead and you make them live again, implying that archaeologist Howard Carters discovery, and this exhibition itself, are granting the young king the eternal life he so desired.

I found it an enjoyable exhibition, with three caveats. First, the Saatchi Gallery has a confusing layout, and there is little indication of how to get from one room to the next not helpful to visitors.

Secondly, museum gift shops are always overpriced, but this one takes it to extremes: 10 for a small flask of Egyptian sand, 16 for a small scarab beetle and an exacting 50 for the exhibition book. This is on top of the widely criticised minimum entry price of 24.50 or an exorbitant 100 for a family of three at peak periods (including weekends).

The profits will help pay for the eventual home of these exhibits (and many more) in the Grand Egyptian Museum, opening next year in Cairo.

Tutankhamun: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh is at the Saatchi Gallery, London, until May 3, 2020

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An Egyptian extravaganza that costs an arm and a leg - Catholic Herald Online

Pen of the Year 2020: Sparta.

Graf von Faber-Castell has been offering its annual Pen of the Year since 2003, and each year it has revealed yet another beautiful pen of historical significance. The 2020 collection is making an early debut and like its predecessors, this years editionSpartawill give you a new appreciation for pens and the stories they tell.

The myth of Sparta and its heroes come alive in this limited edition writing instrument, and the design and workmanship is based on the armor and weapons of the Greek heroes. For example, the ruthenium-plated, sandblasted matte barrel is reminiscent of the Spartans steel battle dress. The pens milled decoration pays homage to the striped protective armor worn, and its grip evokes the form of the breastplate. Inspired by the rivets reinforcing the ancient armor, there are seven hand-applied rough diamonds totaling up to 0.35 carats adorning the body.

Both the end piece and the cap of the Pen of the Year 2020 are polished to a high gloss. The spring-loaded clip is based on a Greek warriors helmet. The pen also immortalizes the Lambda symbol from the Greek alphabet, once emblazoned on the defensive shields of the Lacedaemonians. It is featured as a lacquered inlay on the end of the writing implement and is joined by another historical Greek decoration, the meander, which symbolizes immortality.

Pen of the Year 2020, Black Edition

In the Sparta Black Edition, the legendary strength of the Greek heroes is symbolized in an interplay between the dark color of the pen and the stones decorating it. The anthracite-colored, milled metal barrel with PVD coating is adorned with 42 rough diamonds totaling up to 2.1 carats, in seven rows of six, which are again reminiscent of the rivets on the protective armor of the Spartans.

The Sparta fountain pens feature an 18-karat ruthenium-plated gold nib in fine, medium, broad and double broad sizes; there is also a rollerball in each version available.

Each writing implement comes in a high-gloss, black wooden case, accompanied by a certificate signed by Count Charles von Faber-Castell confirming the authenticity of the limited edition.

Earlier Models

The Pen of the Year 2019, the Samurai, is an homage to the warriors who were considered military nobility in medieval and early-modern Japan. The Samurai is distinguished by its dark barrel made of stained and polished magnolia woodembellished with Japanese characters, worked by hand in 24-karat gold. Quoting the samurai warrior and philosopherMiyamoto Musashi,it reads: Today I win against myself of yesterday.

The Pen of the Year 2018, the Imperium Romanum, is made from statuario marble, and its cap features an engraving of he Colosseum. The pen is crowned by a miniature Roman coin modeled on a very rare silver coin from 44 BC depicting Caesars head.

ThePen of the Year 2017is an ode to the Vikings, with a platinum-plated barrel inspired by the graceful curves of the Viking longboats. Slivers of curly birch wood are integrated into the design of the fountain pen and rollerball in a nod to the wood used in Norse boat making.

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Pen Of The Year By Graf Von Faber-Castell: New For 2020 - Forbes

Rick and Mortyhas a slavishly devoted fan base. The show has struck a chord with viewers with its intelligent blend of humor, sci-fi absurdity, and darkness.

When season 3 ended in October of 2017 the fans didnt realize how long it would take for season 4 to hit the airwaves. But after a two-year wait, season 4 has finally arrived and there was much rejoicing among the viewers.

Now, naturally, fans are curious and worried about season 5.First and foremost: Will there be a season 5 of Rick and Morty? And, if so, will the wait be as excruciatingly long as it was from season 4? Heres what we know aboutRick and Mortyseason 5 and beyond.

Months after the end of season 3 it became clear that Adult Swim hadnt ordered another season of the show. Fans were shocked: Did this mean it was possible that the show was ending? Why werent the creators Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon slaving away on new episodes?

Finally, in May of 2018, Adult Swim announced thatRick and Morty had been renewed. Not for a single season, but for 70 more episodes!

It turns out that Roiland and Harmon wanted to be paid more and a guarantee that the show would continue. They claimed that they asked for immortality forRick and Morty, but that they would settle for many, many more seasons.

Since most seasons have been 10 episodes long, that suggests that fans can happily expect 7 more seasons, for a total of 10. Not immortality, but good enough for now.

No one really knows exactly when season 5 will be released, but the wait isnot going to be as agonizing. Roiland has assured fans that theyre already starting work on it.

In a recent interview withEntertainment Weekly,Harmon said: I think its safe to say without fear of being wrong that the gap between seasons 3 and 4 will be the longest and last time that its ever so long that its ridiculous.

People are trying to guess when the start date will be, and the best guess is November of 2020. Whenever the date is, fans are happy to know it wont take two years to get here.

Harmon and Roiland arent the only ones who have a new sense of security with the 70 episode order. Fans can now rest easy knowing that negotiations shouldnt slow things down again.

Theres not much information about whats up for the next season, but Harmon and Roiland have repeatedly said theyd love to work with Kanye West. Theyve even offered him complete creative control over an episode.

West has said publicly that he loves the show, so its a strong possibility that some sort of collaboration will happen. He even met with theRick and Mortyteam back in August.

Apparently his devotion to the show is one thing that isnt affected by his newfound faith.

Since they know it wont be the end, fans can relax and enjoy season 4. Theres an evil Morty theory that may drive you to rewatch the premiere episode a few times. The expected guest stars includeTaika Waititi, Sam Neill,Paul Giamatti, Kathleen Turner, and Matthew Broderick.

Whatever happens, we can all be sure it will be funny, smart, and completely unique, and fans can bask in the knowledge that the magic isnt going to end any time soon.

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'Rick and Morty' Season 5: Will The Show Have Another Season? - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And dont be ashamed of me, either, even though Im in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time to show us his grace through Jesus Christ. And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death; and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News. And God chose me to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Good News. 2 Timothy 1:5-11 (NLT)

At the time of Timothys ordination, he had received special gifts of the Holy Spirit to enable him to serve the church {see 1 Timothy 4:14}. He didnt need a new gifting. He needed to persevere, in courage and self-discipline to hang onto the truth and to use them, thereby fanning into flames the spiritual gift God had given him. If Timothy would step out boldly in faith and proclaim the Good News once again, the Holy Spirit would go with him and give him the power he needed.

When we utilize the gifting God has given us, we will find that God gives us the power needed to accomplish whatever task He has given usGod has given all Christians gifts to use in building up the body of ChristWhen we allow people to intimidate us, we neutralize our effectiveness for God. Paul promises Timothy and us, that God would give the needed strength and courage. Dont ever be ashamed to testify of our personal faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus already broke the power of death with His love and resurrection. What we must do is believe in Him and accept His offer of love and life eternal.

Paul also affirmed his confidence in Gods protection. This was not a claim to strong faith; rather, it was of a love and trust in one so powerful that even a weak faith was sufficient. (From the NLT Study Bible.)

The Old Testament is also a picture of reality in the New. Arent you glad for mothers and grandmothers in church? I pray that they stir something up in me. Lets look at 2 Kings 4:38-41 (KJV).

Remember what its like to set up a big, seasoned cast-iron pot of chili beans? Beans, and if it goes, peas, corn, cucumbers? A person must stand over and stir it up or it will be burnt on the bottom and grease will form on the top. Dont settle for a little almost healed, a little bit of healing. Food reminds us of mothers and grandmothers who blessed us with food and love.

When was the last time God delivered you? The Word in us is stirred and we are blessed in the country I live to brush my teeth, but if I dont do it, no one will sit next to me. It can mean a sacrifice. Stir yourself up by prayer and fasting, going to church.

Football pros have pep talks because they dont want to get pummeledBaseball, too. Get up and go to churchtheres blessing. The enemy is wanting to pummel yousometimes every dayneed a day off? Verse 6 gives us the answera gift.

Bring it and give it. Dont get excitedit will happen before you know it. There will be joy, hope, trust that comes with the gifts. There are nine giftsthe Fruit of the Spirit are available. Stir up that Lovestir up the Peace that is on the inside.

Struggle stirs something up in you. Let God bless you because He has called us. A Holy Calling, Jesus says just stir it up on purpose and in Grace. Dont forget to carry your stirring-spoon with you.

The Faith Commentary is currently provided by Cherokee Pentecostal Holiness Church, P.O. Box 363, Cherokee, N.C. 28719 (Reverend Timothy L. Melton, Pastor of the church). All organized houses of worship are welcome to submit commentary for this column. Portions of this commentary were transcribed by Myra Colgate from a sermon by Pastor Melton.

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SPEAKING OF FAITH: Remembering helps to maintain our confidence - The Cherokee One Feather - Cherokee One Feather

DES MOINES Mark Cady was described as a man who was endlessly kind and devoted his life to the law and justice, a capable public speaker and advocate who was disarming with a wonderful sense of humor.

A former colleague described how it was pure chance that Cady came to write the history-making Iowa Supreme Court decision for which he will long be remembered.

Chief Justice Cady died Friday of a heart attack. He was 66.

Cady was honored Wednesday with a public celebration of life at Drake University, from which he earned his bachelors and law degrees. An estimated 1,500 people attended the event, a Drake official said.

What words shared over a period of a few minutes can possibly capture the essence of a life so rich with purpose, meaning, accomplishment and impact, said Mark Brownlee, a longtime friend of Cadys.

The Rev. Dr. David Ruhe said Cadys passing was dumbfounding to us all.

Nathan Hecht, the Texas Supreme Court chief justice who will succeed Cady as president of the national Conference of Chief Justices, said the outpouring in the wake of Cadys death has come from all corners of the country.

Warm, caring, dedicated to improving justice, with a wonderful sense of humor, a great role model, Hecht said. All these words in testament to Mark Cady, like an artists strokes on an enormous canvas, paint a portrait of Chief Justice Cady: soft spoken but strong, smiling but serious about his work, learned but laughing ... distinguished, exceptional, respected and humble, most of all beloved. ...

Iowa has lost an extraordinary judge and statesman. You know that well. I can tell you this: so has the country.

Marsha Ternus, who preceded Cady as chief justice of the Iowa Supreme Court, described Cady as quite simply the nicest guy you could ever hope to meet.

She also revealed how Cady came to write the decision for which he will most be remembered: the Iowa high courts 2009 unanimous decision that legalized same-sex marriage.

Ternus said the justices drew case assignments randomly from a bag, and Cady drew Varnum v. Brien.

Iowa was fortunate that he drew that case, said Ternus, who was chief justice at the time. Mark drafted a principled decision based on legal concepts long applied by Iowa courts. He wrote eloquently, putting our decision in the context of Iowas rich history of upholding Iowans civil rights. And ever aware that courts are here for the people, Mark made a considerable effort to write the courts opinion in a manner that could be readily understood, not only by lawyers familiar with legal terminology, but by all Iowans.

Ternus and two other justices lost their seats on the court after conservative groups mobilized to oppose them in the states 2010 retention elections in protest of the courts decision.

Cady succeeded Ternus as chief justice.

It was a wonderful moment for Mark. I know, though, that his achievement was bittersweet for him because he mourned the loss of his three colleagues, Ternus said. That was Mark. He was one of the most empathetic persons I have ever known.

The Des Moines Gay Mens Chorus sang opening and closing songs at Wednesdays ceremony: America the Beautiful and Let There Be Peace on Earth.

Brownlee closed his remarks with a tribute to Cadys legal career.

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I choose to think of this proceeding as Marks final investiture: an investiture into Iowa judicial immortality, Brownlee said. With that Mr. Chief Justice, I rest. So shall you, my great friend.

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Iowa Chief Justice Mark Cady remembered as kind, devoted to justice - The Gazette