La Jolla Attorney, Teacher Killed in Burma Air Crash

Reeve James Jacques, a prominent La Jolla attorney, and his wife, Carolyn E. Volk Jacques, a schoolteacher, both killed Sunday in an airliner crash in Burma, were 17-year residents of La Jolla.

The Burma Airways plane crashed during monsoon rains, killing all 49 people on board.

The Jacques, both 45, moved to La Jolla from Los Angeles and were active in a variety of civic and professional organizations.

Reeve Jacques was admitted to the California Bar in 1970. He joined the law firm of McInnis, Fitzgerald, Rees, Sharkey & McIntyre in December, 1971, after working a year in the criminal division of the city attorney’s office.

In 1976, he became a partner in the law firm and was secretary-treasurer at the time of his death. He was a member of the San Diego County Bar Assn. and the American Board of Trial Advocates.

‘Lawyer’s Lawyer’

“He was a lawyer’s lawyer,” said James R. Milliken, a law partner and friend. “His standard of quality in his legal work was without peer. He was highly regarded by the bench and bar and was in charge of some of our toughest legal cases.”

Jacques was a trial lawyer who specialized in malpractice cases. Two important cases he handled locally were Holliday vs. Jones, a legal malpractice case, and the anti-trust case of Brooks vs. the Ophthalmological Society.

Carolyn Jacques had been a part-time schoolteacher at the private Evans School in La Jolla for the last five years. She taught science, history and English to upper-grade students.

The Jacques’ three daughters had attended Evans before going on to The Bishop’s School in La Jolla, where the couple was active in the PTA.

Carolyn Jacques belonged to the National Charity League, Children’s Home Society and the local bar association’s auxiliary. Since 1976, she had been active with Girl Scouts of America.

‘Positive Person’

“Carolyn was a gracious and exemplary individual,” said Marianne Augustine, a spokeswoman at Evans School. “She extended herself to the children and they loved being taught by her. She was such a positive person.”

Carolyn Jacques was born in Los Angeles. Her father, Harry Volk, retired as chairman of Union Bank in 1980. He was also a former director of Times-Mirror Co., Western Airlines and the Southern California Gas Company. Her brother, Robert H. Volk, became the owner and chairman of Santa Ana-based Martin Aviation in 1985. She attended Marlborough school in Los Angeles and served as her class president.

Reeve Jacques was a native of Dallas. He attended Choate-Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Conn.

Both he and his wife graduated from Stanford University in 1963. He earned his law degree at USC after serving four years as an officer in the U.S. Navy.

The Jacques were married in Los Angeles on April 18, 1964. People who knew them said they were very family oriented and enjoyed spending time with their children and traveling.

Their love of travel and adventure was spurred by “a fascination they had for knowledge and exploring remote places,” Augustine said. Last year, they had traveled to South Africa and the Serengeti Plain in Tanzania. They had also been to mainland China twice, as well as Europe and Egypt.

The couple is survived by three daughters: Jennifer, 18; Julie, 16, and Allison, 14.

In addition to her father and daughters, Carolyn Jacques is survived by two brothers: Robert Volk of Rolling Hills and Richard Volk of San Francisco. Reeve Jacques is also survived by his parents, James and Fern, of Dallas.

A memorial service is planned at the La Jolla Methodist Church at 10 a.m. Friday. Funeral arrangements are pending.

The family suggests contributions to The Bishop’s School memorial fund established in the name of Reeve and Carolyn Jacques in lieu of flowers.