File photo/The Valdosta Daily Times

VALDOSTA — On vacation last week with his wife, Jane, Judge H. Arthur “Mac” McLane realized that the time had come to take trips, spend more time hunting, fishing and reading, and enjoying the company of his children and grandchildren. Having made a decision, and with non-partisan election qualifying for judges occurring this week, McLane made the announcement before he could change his mind.

He will complete the remainder of his term through Dec. 31, but he will not seek reelection as the Southern Judicial Circuit’s chief judge.

“Intellectually, I think I’ve made the right decision,” McLane told The Valdosta Daily Times Tuesday. “I’ve always wanted to leave two to three years too soon rather than two or three years too late.”

Still, it won’t be an easy transition, he says, mentioning it will be difficult leaving his staff and fellow judges. “Emotionally, I’ve been here 25 years and, any time you make a major change in lifestyle, you have some qualms.”

With a vacancy on the Southern Judicial Circuit bench, candidates can file with the Secretary of State’s office through Friday to run for the Superior Court seat. As of Tuesday afternoon, area attorneys Jim Tunison and Gregory A. Voyles had qualified as candidates for the race which will be decided in the November primary, according to the Georgia Secretary of State Web site.

The title of chief judge will go to the longest serving judge in the Southern Judicial Circuit. As of Jan. 1, 2009, Judge Harry Jay Altman II would become chief judge.

As for McLane, he plans to continue serving in a part-time capacity as a senior superior court judge. Being a senior judge will allow him time to pursue other activities and interests, while remaining active in the law.

As noted in a past article, had “Mac” McLane pursued the family business several years ago, he would have been a funeral director at Carson McLane Funeral Home instead of a judge, but he didn’t have the patience for the funeral home. McLane considered medicine but changed his mind after spending time with members of his wife’s family who were attorneys. “Mac” McLane opted to study law.

He spent a few years in private practice until being appointed a state court judge in 1974. In July 1983, he was tapped to fill an unexpired superior court term in the Southern Judicial Circuit, presiding over cases in Lowndes, Brooks, Colquitt, Echols and Thomas counties. In 1984, he was elected to the post, and has been reelected, always unopposed, to several consecutive terms.

While his presence has been integral in superior courtrooms throughout South Georgia, McLane has also been involved in numerous organizations throughout the community. Along with his parents Carson and Philena McLane, he became a charter member of Park Avenue United Methodist Church. He has served as a member of Valdosta Rotary Club, the Valdosta Symphony Board and the Georgia Sheriff’s Boys Ranch executive board. One of his community accomplishments has been as a chief proponent for the new judicial complex being built in Downtown Valdosta. Ironically, he will not regularly work in this building he helped champion.

But as early as Jan. 2, or Jan. 3, McLane says with a laugh, he hopes to be far away from buildings, and in the outdoors, hunting quail. “I plan to have a good time,” he says. “I’m not going to sit at home … I’m going to take the time to smell the roses.”