Residents Pay Respect to Lipscomb

Residents can pay their final respects to civil and political activist Al Lipscomb at the Hall of State at Fair Park starting at noon Thursday.

Lipscomb died surrounded by friends and family at his home on Saturday at the age of 86.

He was the first black person to run for Dallas Mayor and later served on Dallas City Council for 15 years.

Lipscomb changed Dallas politics when he became the lead plaintiff in a landmark lawsuit that declared Dallas' at-large election system unconstitutional. Years later, a federal court ordered the creation of single member districts.

He was also known as "the lip" for his brash style of communication.

The Dallas native remained an influential citizen even after he left the political arena.

"His style of leadership was one that was proper at that time, and his style of leadership was one that opened doors for me and others so that we could get here and do the things that we're doing, and I would not have been the mayor had it not been for the style and the leadership of Al Lipscomb," says Mayor Dwaine Caraway.

Residents can pay their respects at the Hall of State Thursday and Friday from noon to 6 p.m. The wake will be Friday and Lipscomb will be laid to rest Saturday at Friendship West Baptist Church.

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