Lipscomb to Lie in Repose at Fair Park

Albert Louis "Al" Lipscomb, a former Dallas city councilman whose confrontational style in the quest for civil rights made him beloved and despised, has died at age 86.

Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price said Lipscomb died at his home early Saturday morning.

The outspoken civic activist filed a groundbreaking lawsuit that forced Dallas to elect council members by individual districts. Lipscomb served on the council 15 years and was the first black person to run for Dallas mayor.

Although a federal bribery conviction forced him to resign from the council in January 2000 that conviction was later overturned.

Longtime South Dallas leader Diane Ragsdale told the Dallas Morning News that Lipscomb upset the status quo and helped bring some social justice to a city divided along racial lines.

There will be a public viewing for Lipscomb at Fair Park's Hall of State from noon to 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. The wake will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday night.

Funeral services for Lipscomb will held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Friendship West Baptist Church at 2020 Wheatland Rd. in Dallas.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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