J. Wilson Noden, a respected former family court judge who was first nominated to the bench by Gov. Robert B. Meyner in 1958 at age 34, died on February 19. He was 101.
It’s possible that Noden was the earliest-serving state court judge still alive.
Noden had served as deputy attorney general under Meyner and was active in Democratic politics in Mercer County. He joined Thompson and Convery, the Trenton firm of then-Assemblyman (and future congressman) Frank Thompson, Jr. The Mercer County Board of Freeholders hired him as an attorney for the county Rental Control Agency, along with another young lawyer, future Senate President Joseph P. Merlino.
In 1954, Noden was part of a legal team assembled by Rep. Charles Howell, who lost a race for an open U.S. Senate seat to Republican Clifford Case.
During his first years as a judge, Noden served on the bench in Mercer County with Richard J. Hughes, who resigned in 1961 to launch a successful campaign for governor.
He spent his 37 years as a judge assigned to the family court. Hughes nominated him to another term in 1964, and in 1973, the legislature passed special legislation to elevate Noden to the Superior Court at a time when the county court system was being reorganized. He was recalled after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70 in 1994.
A standout college baseball pitcher at Rutgers, Noden served as a U.S. Army lieutenant in World War II and flew missions out of England as navigator for the 467th Bombardment Group. He flew eleven bombing missions over Germany. Later, he served as chairman of the Home Service Committee on the American Red Cross’ Trenton chapter.
Predeceased by his wife, Cecily, and his son, Merrell, he is survived by his son and daughter, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.